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Social Media Reacts to Allyson Felix’s Historic Bronze Medal Win

Today, there is no internet divide or debate: Allyson Felix is the GOAT.

Published
Malissa Rodenburg
Photo: Getty Images

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The internet is awash with good vibes, love, and mad respect for. . . (checks notes). . . 10-time Olympic medalist Allyson Felix. After winning bronze in the 400m final in 49.46 at the Tokyo Games on Friday, she is now tied with Carl Lewis as the most decorated track and field Olympian. She is the most decorated female track and field Olympian and, decidedly, the GOAT.

RELATED: Allyson Felix Wins Bronze, Becomes Most Decorated Female Olympian in Track and Field History

Lewis himself took to Twitter to congratulate her. “35 never looked so good. What an amazing career and inspiration,” he wrote.

There are a lot of reasons to be impressed with Felix’s performance today and throughout her entire career. As NBC writer Tim Layden points out, her time in today’s final is “the fastest she’s run since 2015, before she gave birth to her daughter. Also, at age 35, no woman has ever run faster older.”

Alison Wade of Fast Women let everyone know that she did it all while “wearing shoes made by the company she founded in her spare time after her previous shoe sponsor undervalued her,” referring to her recently launched athletic-wear company, Saysh and her falling out with previous sponsor Nike.

https://twitter.com/lindsaycrouse/status/1423639363414544387

Speaking of Saysh, we are predicting a spike in sales. Her fans are ready to rep her brand. “Dear [Allyson Felix], I’m ready for you to launch more gear, will buy everything forever and ever,” wrote a very excited @godessofvictry on Twitter.

On Twitter, user @goodbeatrix cheekily pointed out that her bronze “just gave [Nike] the middle finger.” And Rene Vogel echoed: “Look at that [Nike, Allyson Felix] is proving age is just a number.” 

https://twitter.com/rjm_bird/status/1423661042446573573

Coming back to the Olympics after giving birth has been an important story line in the Felix saga. From her fight over maternity-rights for athletes from sponsors, to experiencing firsthand the dangerous lack of training in Black maternal-fetal health, she has been paving a better way for mothers.

RELATED: Allyson Felix: “Dream Maternity Showed Me That Speaking Your Truth Matters”

She has been an inspiration to people in all walks of life, from fellow Olympians and elite athletes, to mothers, women, and people of color who can relate to her struggles and revel in her successes. 

“Any [mom] knows how crazy hard [Allyson Felix] worked to accomplish this. Being a gold medal Olympian is already hella impressive…but to do it post baby at age 35. Wuuuh! Now I know I’m capable of being even better than I was pre baby,” wrote Dequina Nicholas.

In her nearly 20 year career–she first went to the Olympics and medaled in 2004–many women who race today were inspired to do so in part because of Felix.

“I have looked up to [Allyson Felix] since I had her poster on my wall 20 years ago,” writes Aisha Praught Leer who competed in the 1500m in Tokyo for the Jamaican team.

“We can talk about the Ten Olympic Medals but I’d rather talk about how this Woman has inspired so many people to Bet On Themselves,” wrote three-time Olympic medalist Carmelita Jeter.

Sprinter and long jumper Tianna Bartoletta has a long history alongside Felix. “From being afraid of her in high school, to lining up next to her in the Olympics, to running with her on our 4×1 relays…I’m now simply in awe of her,” she wrote on Twitter.

https://twitter.com/tibartoletta/status/1423636122362470404?s=21

Because of her legacy and her story, fans of hers had a wide range of emotions following the 400m final. Like Sarah Fowler who summed it perfectly: “Crying because Allyson Felix.”

https://twitter.com/sarahrenae709/status/1423625683784306691

Others are going to be celebrating for a long time. “Yes I will be retweeting all of the Allyson Felix celebration tweets,” wrote Julia Echterhoff Lee. “These Olympic games have been historic in challenging preconceived notions, breaking traditions and now, in awards. I am happy to celebrate this high note for the now ‘Most Winningest Woman in Track History'” wrote Florida congressional candidate Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick.

https://twitter.com/JuliaLeeUSAU/status/1423661198956929027

https://twitter.com/Sheila4Congress/status/1423660549439623176

The night before the race Felix wrote on Instagram that she was afraid of letting people down and letting herself down. And while it might feel like Felix gave it her all for the fans, for Team USA, we all know who she really did it for: Her daughter Cammy.

Emma Coburn stated it perfectly: “Another medal for Cammy to look at on the shelf. Yesssss”

Felix’s is a story we’re going to be hearing for a long time to come, the stuff of legends. “Somebody please write a children’s book about her. I want my granddaughters to read her story,” wrote Shelley Hoffman on Twitter. Likewise, Robert Mitchell wrote “Looking forward to the documentary feature … that needs to happen”

https://twitter.com/robertmitchellm/status/1423640007735132162

If you missed the race this morning, you can watch it in prime time tonight. Felix may race again, going for medal number 11, in the 4x400m relay finals on Saturday at 8:30 a.m. EDT, but it has not yet been confirmed.

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