ESSENCE cover girl and 2012 Olympic gold medalist Allyson Felix walked away with yet another major title over the weekend: The sprinter was named Female World Athlete of the Year at the International Association of Athletics Federations Centenary Gala. In addition to the honor, Felix received a $100,000 cash prize.
According to the Associated Press, Felix said she was once discouraged by her 2008 Beijing performance, but found the strength to move forward with training. “My biggest defeats have come at the Olympic Games. After Beijing I was devastated, I had worked as hard as possible but I came up short,” she said. “But I decided to rededicate myself even harder and it was a blessing in disguise. I was able to work harder than ever before and finally it all came together.”
Felix took home three gold medals at this summer’s London Olympic Games. She won the 200m race and was part of the winning 4x100m and 4x400m relay teams. She also became the first woman since 1988 to win three gold medals in a single Olympic Games.
“It is pretty much one of the coolest awards I’ve ever received,” said Felix about her latest accomplishment.
Just a short nine years ago she, along with this year’s Male World Athlete of the Year, Usain Bolt, won the Rising Star awards for the most promising young athletes of the year.
Congratulations, Allyson Felix, on your honor!