Sprinter Allyson Felix Breaks Usain Bolt’s Record 10 Months After Emergency C-Section

“To come home from a long day of training and to see my daughter…It really is the best thing in the world.” - by Lucy Bode

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Less than a year after giving birth via emergency C-Section, Allyson Felix has broken a world record, becoming the only athlete to win 12 gold medals at the track and field World Championships. The achievement breaks a tie she previously held with fellow Olympic sprinter Usain Bolt, who has long been recognised as the fastest man in history.

Via Twitter, the American summed up how she feels about being back on top of the podium in one word: “Humbled.”

Allyson Felix on Twitter

It’s just been 10 months since Felix welcomed her daughter Camryn to the world after struggling with preeclampsia - a pregnancy complication characterised by high blood pressure and damage to internal organs. According to the Mayo Clinic, preeclampsia is a serious condition that can be fatal if left untreated.

Of returning to the track and her pre-pregnancy training regime, Felix told People: “It’s different, definitely challenging. I think for any new mum when she returned to work just, you’re exhausted and you’re balancing your family and what it all looks like. So it’s no different from me."

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”I am just getting used to what the new normal looks like and getting my routine down and all of that,” she continued. “But I couldn’t be happier to do that and to have the support, to be able to come home from a long day of training and to see my daughter and her smiling face. It really is like the best thing in the world.”

Lucy Bode

Lucy is Women Health’s digital editor, social media specialist and the go-to girl for all things holistic wellness. Her background as a journalist and passion for food, fitness and integrative medicine has led her to write for some of Australia’s leading publications over the course of her career.