LOS ANGELES — Allyson Felix, the Olympic champion sprinter and USC graduate, is being honored by Southern California (USC) by naming the field at the university’s track stadium after her. This is a significant honor, as it is usually reserved for major donors.
Felix graduated from USC in 2008 with a degree in elementary education and grew up in Los Angeles, where she used to walk the campus as a child with her grandmother and brother. She is deeply humbled by the honor, saying: “I am just completely humbled. It’s such a huge honor to be a part of history in the campus, and it’s such a special place for me.”
Felix retired last year, having won the most Olympic medals of any American track athlete. The 37-year-old sprinter earned 11 medals over five consecutive Olympic games. She won seven Olympic gold medals, with three silvers and a bronze medal at the Games.
Felix also won 14 World Championships medals and is a three-time Diamond League Final winner during her outstanding career.
The field to be named for Felix is at Katherine B. Loker Track Stadium, which serves as a hub for the men’s and women’s track teams. The dedication of the field will take place this spring.
USC President Carol Folt hopes that students will see Felix’s name prominently displayed and be curious to learn more about her talent, grit, and generosity.
“My hope is that students playing on the Allyson Felix Field, or just walking by, will see her name prominently displayed and be curious to learn more about her talent, grit and generosity,” Folt said.
In terms of her performance, Felix’s personal bests include 10.89 seconds in the 100 meters, 16.81 seconds in the 150 meters, 21.69 seconds in the 200 meters, and 49.26 seconds in the 400 meters.
She set these records at various locations such as the Olympic Stadium in London, Hilmer Lodge Stadium in Walnut, CA, Hayward Field in Eugene, OR, and the National Stadium in Beijing.
