Updated Aug 7, 2021 - Sports

Allyson Felix becomes most decorated U.S. Olympic track athlete with 11 medals

Kierra Frazier

USA's Allyson Felix reacts after winning the women's 4x400m relay final during the Tokyo Olympic Games on Aug. 7. Photo: JEWEL SAMAD / Getty Images

Team USA sprinter Allyson Felix won her 11th Olympic medal on Saturday night, making her the most decorated American Olympic athlete in track and field.

Why it matters: The win for Team USA means that Felix has topped Carl Lewis for most medals in U.S. track and field history.

Felix, 35, helped the U.S. win the 4x400-meter mixed relay in its debut at the world championships two years ago.
This is her fifth Olympic games and likely her last. The Tokyo Olympics are the first Summer Games Felix has competed in since the birth of her daughter. There were times she wasn't sure she'd ever get back on the track after a life-threatening pregnancy complication.

Driving the news: A team of Felix, Sydney McLaughlin, Dalilah Muhammad and Athing Mu earned the gold on Saturday night in the 4x400-meter relay, continuing a U.S. winning streak in an event that has gone unbroken since 1996.

Go deeper: Allyson Felix enters 5th Olympic games as a leader for women

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Allyson Felix becomes most decorated U.S. Olympic track athlete with 11 medals

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