Allyson Felix

Allyson Melissa Felix was born in Los Angeles, California on November 18, 1985. Paul Felix, her father, was an ordained pastor at Master's Seminary Sun Valley. Marlean Felix worked at Balboa Magnet elementary school. Felix demonstrated a talent for sports early, and discovered her ability to sprint when she attended the Los Angeles Baptist High School. Within 10 weeks of her initial tryout, she placed in second place in the 200-meter race in the U.S. Indoor Track and Field Championship. In 2003 Felix completed her high school graduation having signed a professional contract with the athletics company Adidas before enrolling at the University of Southern California where she studied elementary education. Felix received her first Olympic medal at the Athens Summer Olympics 2004. Felix broke a junior-world record running 200 meters for 22.18. In 2005, the Helsinki World Championships saw her become the shortest woman ever to be crowned the winner of the 200-meter race. In 2007 she defended that title, beating her Jamaican opponent Veronica Campbell. Felix participated at Beijing London Rio de Janeiro Tokyo and consistently placed within the top three athletes in her respective events.