Allyson Felix: Big on life lessons

Allyson Felix: Big on life lessons

It is all about blinding, dazzling light when you meet her.

When she flashed that big, beaming-wide smile, her entire face lit up and I immediately thought Magic.

Los Angeles native Allyson Felix is a track superstar.

She is also nice, articulate, obliging, warm and friendly.

Her CV writes four Olympic golds and eight wins at the World Championships, it is unique and impressive, but even with such an allround package, she does not have the influence of the Los Angeles Lakers superhero Earvin "Magic" Johnson in the United States because of the nature of her job.

Track and field does not resonate as much in the United States.

It does better around the rest of the world, where Felix is regarded as a role model and it hardly weighs her down.

The sprint specialist and reigning Olympic 200m champion told me on Saturday it's cool to be a role model.

"I've always had a passion for kids, so for me, it is a great honour and responsibility to do things and inspire," she said, when we met at the Nike Store at Raffles City.

LUSTRE

Far too many times over the years have fans been let down by athletes once branded as role models, the tag was in danger of being worn out, but Felix has stepped up to restore the sheen.

Speaking with an easygoing charm, the sprinter said: "It's so important to reach out to kids at a young age and tell them about the journey and that there are ups and downs.

"In everything that happens, it's not great all the time. "To me, it's just as important to do that at a young age and just to help them enjoy the sport.

"It teaches a lot of life lessons and I think that is why it is important."

Felix is regularly tested for performance-enhancing drugs as a member of the US Anti-Doping Agency's "Project Believe" programme.

She is a woman of faith and believes the war against doping can be won as long as tests continue to evolve.

She follows a strict diet six days a week, but has a "cheat day" every Wednesday when she indulges in all kinds of food, with ice cream a particular favourite.

INSPIRATION

Felix, who will turn 28 in 15 days' time, is the face of one of Nike's major ad campaigns this year.

Gifted, lithe, beautiful and Olympian, and having learnt so many life lessons through sport, it is hardly a surprise.

In Singapore to talk to young local athletes and inspire them with her story, Felix will add stardust to this morning's Nike We Run SG when she flags off around 20,000 runners at the F1 Pit Building.

She failed to finish the 200m final at the world championships in Moscow in August after pulling up with a hamstring injury in the final.

I wondered if she had already started her build-up for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio.

She grinned and said: "Yeah, we definitely have a broader goal and for me to accomplish that goal, each year is a stepping stone.

"I think getting back on track this year after my injury is very important. "There definitely is always the goal of the Olympics and I work backwards from there, so for me, that's how I do it. It's easier for me to focus on year by year then to say, 'I'm looking at Rio right now'.

"There is the bigger picture, but I break it down and look at it as stepping stones."

There is always that bigger picture for Felix.

She loves the Olympics, the idea of the Olympics and the whole concept of the Olympics.

She spoke to a small group of excited young athletes from the Singapore Sports School on Saturday, who hung on to her every word.

National 100m record-holder Shanti Pereira, 17, was starry-eyed meeting her hero and was rewarded with a bear hug.

They posed for pictures and collected autographs. They were thrilled. I hope all of them go on to love the Olympics and the idea of the Games and its whole concept.

I hope all of them become Olympians, but even one will do.

In the end, that is what it is all about for a role model.

To impart knowledge, offer unique advice, give hope, straighten out, and inspire, like a blinding, dazzling light.

I asked Felix if the 2016 Rio Olympics will be her curtain call and for one last time, I was rewarded with that incomparable smile, before she said: "I don't know. We will see."


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