In a move that has already stirred the athletics world, Allyson Felix—the most decorated female track and field athlete in Olympic history—has announced that she is coming out of retirement with one goal in mind: the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
At 42, Felix isn’t chasing nostalgia. She’s chasing qualification.
Her target is clear—earn a place at the U.S. Olympic Trials and fight for a spot in the relay pool. It’s a bold ambition for any athlete, let alone one who stepped away from competition after the World Athletics Championships 2022.
Media reports suggest Felix first floated the idea last June in a formal presentation to her brother and business partner Wes. The title captured the ambition perfectly: “Project Six.” A reference to what would be her sixth Olympic Games—a milestone that would extend one of the most remarkable careers in sport.
Preparation will be meticulous. A full training programme is set to begin in October under longtime coach Bobby Kersee, the man who guided her through multiple Olympic cycles. The timeline is deliberate, with Felix aiming to return to competition in 2027.
Felix has made it clear she does not intend to return to the grind of the global circuit. Instead, she plans a selective schedule—one that allows her to stay close to her two children while still pursuing excellence on the track.
At 42, Allyson Felix is redefining what a comeback can look like—not as a farewell tour, but as a bold attempt to compete, once again, at the very highest level.