The legendary track star Allyson Felix is getting her flowers after running in the final race of her career. Felix put on the U.S. jersey one last time on Friday and competed in the mixed 4×400 meter relay at the World Athletics Championships in Eugene, Oregon.
The 36-year-old grabbed her 19th world championship medal after the relay team finished third, ESPN reports. During the race, then later while celebrating with her medal, Felix heard a standing ovation from her supporters. Google joined the celebration by dedicating a special animation to the legendary athlete on its homepage.
The first part of the tribute shows Felix taking part in one of the many medal ceremonies she has enjoyed in her career. Another animation depicts the legendary athlete standing on the podium with her daughter in her hand.
“Olympian, mother advocate,” the Google caption reads. “Congrats on 20 unstoppable years!”
Loving Google’s tribute to Allyson Felix today, as she gets ready to run her final championship race at #WCHOregon22 tonight (10:50 p.m. ET on USA, Peacock, and https://t.co/Pb5dCxjpnV). pic.twitter.com/KxCFlL6Mkc
— Fast Women (@fast_women) July 15, 2022
The celebration continued on social media as fans reflected on the track star’s epic journey.
The legend called Allyson Felix.👑
She wins her 19th World Championship medal in her last race at the biennial event in front of a home crowd.
Give her her flowers!!💐💐💐 pic.twitter.com/LWvz1mPuQ3— Track & Field Gazette (@Athleticsglobe) July 16, 2022
.@allysonfelix and Team USA take bronze in the mixed 4×400-meter relay 🥉
Felix’s final medal of her historic career 🐐
(via @NBCOlympics)pic.twitter.com/a3BHVLoIU3
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) July 16, 2022
From a teenage phenom to the most decorated in history. 👑@allysonfelix competes at her final major championships. #ThankYouAllyson pic.twitter.com/wQCWlrtO8d
— Team USA (@TeamUSA) July 16, 2022
Allyson Felix closes out her international track and field career with a bronze in the 4x400m mixed relay. She extends her record for most world championship medals by any track and field athlete to 19. pic.twitter.com/Z6fIW6O4Gq
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) July 16, 2022
Dominance in three decades.
The definition of dedication. @allysonfelix | #ThankYouAllyson pic.twitter.com/H8pJ7pGvwQ— Team USA (@TeamUSA) July 16, 2022
What a career for @allysonfelix 🐐
👏 19 world championship medals
👏 11 Olympic medals
👏 Most decorated female track and field athlete of all-time(via @NBCOlympics)pic.twitter.com/ZJ2WfQbFgP
— ESPN (@espn) July 16, 2022
Allyson Felix signed every autograph she was asked for tonight. The media people were trying to rush her to other interviews.
She told them she’ll be signing the autographs.
Inspiring to so many. Magical moments at Hayward Field. pic.twitter.com/tvKNsoTW3L
— Devin Heroux (@Devin_Heroux) July 16, 2022
According to ESPN, Felix earned her 19th medal at world championships on Friday and extended her own record.
“There’s not one single story that can explain the impact that she had on the sport,” Elijah Godwin, who ran in Friday’s relay with Felix, told ESPN. “Over the span of the years she did it, she became an icon, and for us to come out and compete with her, it’s a blessing to have that opportunity.”
The iconic athlete has overcome significant challenges on and off the track. At one point she was fighting for her life when she was forced to have an emergency C-section eight weeks short of her due date.
The terrifying situation has inspired Felix to step up her effort in advocating for women and moms in and out of sports.
“I felt the love,” Felix told reporters after her final race. “And I felt joy running tonight.”