5:07
\"There's definitely some tough days where I still struggle, but I just try to make that conscious decision to use my mind to focus on the positive,\" said Felix. \"Everyday waking up and being thankful and grateful for health and family. Looking at the positive side [of postponement], I have more time to prepare, I have more time to be at home with family and just kind of breathe.\"
In 2019, Felix left her former sponsor Nike after speaking out alleging that female track stars were penalized contractually by the brand for being pregnant. In May 2019, Nike said it would change its pregnancy policy and do more to protect female athletes' pay during and after pregnancy.
\"Last year we standardized our approach across all sports to support our female athletes during pregnancy, but we recognize we can go even further,\" the company said in a statement in May 2019. \"Moving forward, our contracts for female athletes will include written terms that reinforce our policy.\"
Felix has moved on and started a new chapter in partnership with Athleta.
She said the number one thing the industry can do to support female athletes is to protect them contractually.
\"That's what I was fighting for with Nike, just across the industry in general,\" Felix said. \"To completely support [new moms] and allow them time to come back to be the best they can be, you know, the best outcome that they can be.\"
\"What I really love with my new partnership with Athleta and how they're supporting me holistically. That's something that I haven't experienced before,\" she added. \"So supporting me, not only as an athlete, but also as a mom and an activist.\"
Along with speaking up for female professional athletes, Felix has also been an activist for black maternal health.
This Saturday, May 9, ahead of Mother's Day, Felix will take part in Athleta's first-ever (em)Power Hour, a free virtual event featuring inspiring women in sports, fitness and female empowerment for a candid conversation.
View this post on InstagramA post shared by Allyson Felix (@af85) on Apr 8, 2020 at 8:32am PDT
\"I hope that people are inspired by [the event], but also feel supported and energized,\" she said. \"During this time of crisis, I think it's something that we all need.\"
When the time comes to start training and competing in-person again ahead of the 2021 games, Felix said she feels confident steps will be taken to ensure the safety of all athletes.
\"I think we're seeing the power of sports, now more than ever,\" she said.\"It's so much bigger than people just playing games… So when it does return, I hope that it has the power to bring people together, and also be a sign of healing. We are overcoming and things will eventually return.\"
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