It was Felix’s 11th Olympic medal and her seventh gold, overtaking sprint legend Carl Lewis’ haul of 10 medals. She remains one short of Finland’s Paavo Nurmi all-time track and field record of 12 medals.
The US team of Felix, Sydney McLaughlin, Dalilah Muhammad and Athing Mu stormed away to the win, with Poland taking home the silver with a national record and Jamaica securing the bronze.
The first was a very, very long time ago [in Athens 2004] when everything was new,” Felix told reporters. “And this one everything is different but in a good way. I am so pleased it was running with these amazing women.”
‘Inspiration’
Speaking after the race, 19-year-old Mu told reporters just how much a role model Felix has been to the new generation of US athletes.
“Most definitely Allyson is an amazing athlete. I’m astonished by everything she does, even coming out here at her last Games,” she said.
“Knowing her story a little more, knowing that everything is more than just track and field for her, that’s just definitely inspiration.
“It makes us all want to figure out more about ourselves and let our stories be heard. It’s just great to be with her, kind of starting my career off. That’s really nice.”