During her illustrious career, she won 11 Olympic medals — seven of them gold — and 13 world championship titles.
“I have so much gratitude for this sport that has changed my life. I have given everything I have to running and for the first time I’m not sure if I have anything left to give.”
The 36-year-old began her career specializing in the 200 meters, winning an Olympic silver at Athens 2004 and becoming the youngest ever world champion in the discipline in 2005 at age 19.
Her first Olympic success came at the 2008 Beijing Games when she guided the US women’s 4x400m relay team to a gold medal.
This was the first of six relay Olympic gold medals — four as part of the 4x400m relay and two in the 4x100m relay. Felix was also crowned the individual 200m champion in 2012.
“I want to say goodbye and thank you to the sport and people who have helped shape me the only way I know how — with one last run. This season isn’t about the time on the clock, it’s simply about joy,” her Instagram post continued.
Felix won two world championship gold medals less than a year after giving birth — her 12th and 13th overall — and surpassed Usain Bolt’s record for the most world championship titles won by any track and field athlete.
“If you see me on the track this year I hope to share a moment, a memory and my appreciation with you,” Felix said. “This season I’m running for women. I’m running for a better future for my daughter. I’m running for you.”
