Science & Technology

An Olympic Champion’s Unwavering Advocacy for Mothers in Sports | Allyson Felix | TED

Getting pregnant as a track and field athlete is often called the “kiss of death” — a sign your athletic career will soon end. Olympic champion, entrepreneur and proud mother Allyson Felix thinks it shouldn’t be that way. She tells the story of starting a family while fighting to change her former sponsor’s maternity policy…

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Getting pregnant as a track and field athlete is often called the “kiss of death” — a sign your athletic career will soon end. Olympic champion, entrepreneur and proud mother Allyson Felix thinks it shouldn’t be that way. She tells the story of starting a family while fighting to change her former sponsor’s maternity policy — and paving the way for others to get greater protection and more support. Her message is a testament to the power of believing in and advocating for yourself. “You don’t have to be an Olympian to create change for yourself and others,” she says. “Each of us can bet on ourselves.”

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37 Comments

  1. Gretsky Compton

    April 20, 2022 at 7:07 pm

    Brilliant presentation- lead from the heart and you will always take everyone else with you ❤️

  2. Jay Rodriguez

    April 20, 2022 at 7:51 pm

    ✝️ ✝️ ✝️ ✝️ ✝️

    *For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. “He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.”*
    John 3:16‭-‬21 ,,,,

  3. Kevin VanGelder

    April 20, 2022 at 9:02 pm

    We need advocacy for mothers at home, raising and educating their children, not abandoning them to the public indoctrination system.

  4. WhiteSpatula

    April 20, 2022 at 9:55 pm

    It’s wonderful to hear that more people in boardrooms are standing up to call heartless demands out by name, that CEOs with inhuman plans are being told exactly where they’ve crossed the line, and that no contract stipulations can obligate honest people to become liars. -Phill, Las Vegas

  5. Sandy

    April 20, 2022 at 10:22 pm

    She is such a hypocrite. She is just “selling” a product. She is ungrateful for the organizations that originally started her career. It was her choice to enter into sports, cry me a river.

    • Nino Black

      April 21, 2022 at 1:01 pm

      Nike didn’t start her career Nancy. She became a dominant track athlete thru hard work and family support. The athletic brands court you, once you show potential to dominate and are on an upward trajectory. Just like Nike didn’t make Michael Jordan. To be honest he really made them. He was going to be the best regardless. Nike did help him become wealthier, but Air Jordans put Nike on the map, as #1. If he didnt play like he did, they wouldn’t have sold as well. Adidas, Puma and Converse were more popular at the time and had most of the premier NBA guys.

      I always tell BW, the hate you’ll face won’t always come from men, but the so-called sisterhood of women. If an elite athlete male or female is injured, they don’t lose their deals, so is pregnancy any different. Now if Alysson got pregnant before the Olympics or is having back to back to back kids, then OK. The Olympics is the marquee event in track & field, which is why Nike pays her. But if she get pregnant in the off season and can get back into shape in time, so damn what.

      If, LeBron James had a knee injury and he’s injured for 9 months, where he sits on the bench in street clothes and briefly with a cast, he’s not going to get his Nike deal pulled or decreased.

      While, at times some feminist type women overstate some issues and push a narrative of male oppression, that doesn’t exist at glaring levels, anymore. Allyson is 100% right here. A women shouldn’t be fired or punished by sponsors for a pregnancy, unless it takes them out of top event like the Olympics. I tell BP the same thing. Sick of the double standards, condescension, belittling speech, glass ceilings, baseless allegations or micro-aggressions at work. Try to start your own business, if working for someone else, results in a lack of respect or being taking for granted.

      Sorry, to break it to you, but successful businesses require promotion and marketing. Donald Trump promoted his personal businesses, when he ran for President. I’ve seen Whts do TedTalks on racism and they’ll briefly mention their book. Sure, I can automatically label them a hypocrite or opportunist, who’s exploiting Blk struggle for economic gain and status, as some are. Which is why its good to research people, before the knee jerk name calling and gaslighting starts. Some have good intentions, donate money, volunteer time and resources. You dont know that, until you do your due diligence. Maybe, you should research Allyson and her sneaker company, before gaslighting her. Change is not free of struggle or economics, which is why political lobbying is a billion dollar business.

  6. mimi kece GBI

    April 20, 2022 at 11:51 pm

    Wonderful… 🎉🎉

  7. Twins Mom Farjanas Vlog

    April 21, 2022 at 1:34 am

    You are brilliant..

  8. Michael Kazar

    April 21, 2022 at 3:05 am

    This title is like what you see as a meme in conservative circles 😂

  9. xiuwen Tai

    April 21, 2022 at 4:31 am

    还我血债!一心为国家耻辱终生!
    中国罪恶的人民检察院与人民为敌,为了腐败、丧心病狂
    中国罪恶的国家税务总局连云港市税务局集体全面腐败
    中国江苏省连云港市财政局兼地税局长张文武
    新浦区检察院检察长陈学标为首恶
    为了独霸连云港市人民政权构成黑社会性质组织
    害党!害国!危害一方!
    ——凭空捏造国有特大型企业假偷税案件
    打击迫害税务基层领导干部反腐英雄!
    中国共产党中央委员会:
    当事人邰秀文,目前系中华人民共和国澳门特别行政区居民。本人曾经是一名优秀共产党员、先进干部,从部队转业到连云港市税务局工作。在税务局工作的几年里,本人通过税收实践反复思考,写过一些税收论文在省级刊物上发表。在担任征收股长期间,为杜绝收人情税,杜绝收关系税,杜绝贪污国家税款的现象,公开办税开先河,得到了连云港市委主要领导的高度重视,但也因此得罪了一些税务领导干部。有一部分领导对我是恨之入骨,因为我的做法侵犯了他们的个人利益。
    1994年初,税制改革实施增值税。1994年2月全民国有特大型企业“中国轻骑摩托车集团济南摩托车总厂连云港经销处”申报的期初库存,我直接签字“情况属实,准予抵扣”,附件1。来源于连云港市中级人民法院案件卷宗。给企业节省了大量时间,我为此感到光荣。就因为这个正确的事情,我因此被定罪。我万分冤枉!我感到万分不公!难道一心为国、一心为民、一心为党的人,就因为积极向上的工作,无意中损害了一些人的利益,就要遭此劫难吗?!我的一生毁在这里!我要申冤,我要还自己清白!!!
    在此,我要公开提供几个证据。
    1995年3月两会期间,我向张思卿、任建新等控告陈学标、张文武、黑帮组织。附件2,来源于新浦区检察院案件卷宗。直接导致了他们的疯狂报复和残酷迫害。1996年12月30日,蒋当事人抓捕。1997年3月份,受检察院陈学标、袁立成指使,连云港市物价所徐兵凭空虚构,捏造正品摩托车价格鉴定证明,构成陷害罪。附件3。来源于连云港市中级人民法院案件卷宗。张文武和陈学标合谋,指使其同学袁年成、赵士桥造假,凭空捏造国有特大型企业偷税的伪证。
    本人购买的瑕疵品摩托车,实际价值3000元。本人如实支付。附件4。来源于连云港市中级人民法院案件卷宗。分文没有少给。存在于黑帮组织,凭空捏造的伪证基础上的假案不予平反,永远不得人心。
    起因,王余忠担任民主路税务所所长,在对其所管的个体工商户征税时,通过开税票大头小尾,贪污国家税款。我们在接管王余忠的管户时,股里陈大爷发现,王余忠在城乡个体工商户纳税情况登记表上,登记的税票号码及纳税金额。和王余忠所开税票存根联,税票号码相同,纳税金额不同,金额大的是税票联给个体户的,是个体户实际缴纳的税款,金额小的是税票存根联万,是税务局存档的是实际入库税款。个体工商户交税,都是按照纳税登记表上所定的定额及税款纳税。这是一个贪污国家税款的问题。我就向连云港市税务局监察科李加芝科长反映,经过监察科查实,纳税税票存根联,发现连续四个月都是大头小尾。当时的市局党组书记局长找到我,明确不要再查了,对我进行威胁利诱。王余忠不但未处理,反而提为局长。附件5,证据由原连云港市税务局人事监察科科长李加芝提供。现李加芝在上海和女儿生活。
    1994年10月份,王余忠当时担任连云港市国税局新浦个体分局局长,王余忠利用手中的权力和新浦区检察院驻国税局新浦个体分局税务检察室袁立成、黄小波合谋,凭空捏造假偷税对我进行疯狂报复和陷害。
    一,王余忠虚构全民国有企业偷税。1994年12月2日,王余忠以连云港市国家税务局新浦分局的名义,虚构《税务违章处理决定书》,附件6,来源于连云港市中级人民法院案件卷宗。虚构企业偷税628629.96元,根本没有送达给企业签收,完全虚构凭空捏造。经过检察院检查根本没有偷税,没有补税,所以不存在当时补交税款的《完税证明》。
    二,1997年3月,张文武指使同学袁年成造假,袁年成以新浦分局的名义,虚构时间为1995年11月23日,虚构《税务处理决定书》(95)国税新稽字第027号。附件7,来源于连云港市中级人民法院案件卷宗。无经办人签名,只有分局局长原年成签名,无市局局长签名。1,分局局长无权限,应该有税务委员会研究决定。没有税务委员会也必须有经办人签名,分局长签名,市局局长签名。2,在王余忠虚构,检察院检查没有偷税,没有补税的情况下,四年之后再次虚构偷税处罚。本身就是违法行为。税务保全6个月期限。根本没有送达给企业,没有企业签收。完全凭空捏造。构成陷害罪。
    三,1994年7月1日,江苏省国家税务局挂牌成立。原江苏省税务局立刻撤削。1997年3月份,赵士桥假冒连云港市国家税务局新浦分局名义,使用四年前作废的《江苏省税务局罚金收据》苏税罚87年,附件8,来源于连云港市中级人民法院案件卷宗。虚构时间1995年12月19日,处理“济南轻骑摩托⻋总厂连云港经销处”不使用《江苏省国家税务局罚金收据》,因为《江苏省国家税务局罚金收据》存放在连云港市国家税务局稽查分局,国税局新浦分局无使用权更无处罚的权力,而且罚款必须入国库,签字人赵士桥。虚构偷税金额与王余忠虚构的偷税金额完全不同,直接用国有企业申报期初库存抵扣税款的金额,完全凭空捏造,罚款5万元。根本没有送达给企业,完全凭空捏造。构成陷害罪。
    2013年8月5日,在《税务处理决定书》上签名的原连成分局长,和我律师的谈话笔录。当时连云港市国税局副局长邵建,连云港市国税局稽查局长乔来华,在场的情况下,而且,邵局长明确提出,必须实事求是,有什么说什么,要承担法律责任。原年成局长明确表示:企业没有偷税,连云港市国税局新浦分局,没有对济南轻骑摩托车总厂连云港经销处做过任何补税、处罚的决定。附件9,律师提供。
    王余忠的城乡个体工商户纳税登记簿,是王余忠贪污国家税款的证据,也是我蒙冤的根本原因。当时,国地税分设时,王余忠曾派监察股长到我股里,不直接向我要,偷偷地搜查想销毁,还在我澳门家里。
    当事人强烈要求:撤销江苏省连云港市新浦区人民法院(1997)新刑初字第63刑事判决书及江苏省连云港市中级人民法院(1997)连刑二终字第27号刑事裁定书;
    宣判当事人无罪,还当事人清白!
    此致
    邰秀文
    2022年4月17日

  10. Jack Frost

    April 21, 2022 at 5:24 am

    I have lost track of my future and I don’t have enough courage to find a new path. But, now I will.

  11. Irina Chuchueva

    April 21, 2022 at 5:35 am

    She is pure inspiration! Love her!

  12. Manisha Dash

    April 21, 2022 at 6:27 am

    I love how she is standing up to the big brands like Nike

  13. China Cats

    April 21, 2022 at 8:17 am

    ❤️❤️ Thanks for the content you bring. Great video 👍 💕
    May all be happy and peaceful beings ❤️❤️

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  14. Mike Kis

    April 21, 2022 at 4:52 pm

    American track and field, gymnastics and swimming teams are impressive. Brilliant presentation of one of the famous champion.

  15. Raju Dhadige

    April 21, 2022 at 5:19 pm

    Great

  16. Ethan Dalton

    April 21, 2022 at 6:50 pm

    I like joe Allyson just casually throws out there that she’s a 6 time Olympic Champion, a 16 time world champion and a world record holder 😂

    • J Cutler

      April 21, 2022 at 11:47 pm

      She had to to show that Nike’s policies didn’t make exceptions for status.

  17. Sparrow Holistic

    April 21, 2022 at 8:03 pm

    Thank you for this. Beauty. To stand up when you have no idea what lies for you on the other side. So grateful.

  18. grupo4 abggc

    April 21, 2022 at 8:14 pm

    Motivation

  19. J Cutler

    April 21, 2022 at 11:48 pm

    True greatness comes not from self-aggrandizement, but from answering the call to greater service.

  20. J Cutler

    April 21, 2022 at 11:52 pm

    Her story would be good for Red Table Talk!

  21. Göksel Bilici

    April 22, 2022 at 7:28 am

    Standing up against Nike was awesome, but as an only profit focused company, I didn’t expect more from them 🙂

  22. Larno van Wyk

    April 22, 2022 at 9:46 am

    My fav female athlete.

  23. That Time Stamp Guy

    April 22, 2022 at 2:18 pm

    0:11 6 Days a week, 5 hours a day, intense
    1:08 Champion with a baby
    2:18 _The Girl Affect_ promise
    Girls come from somewhere
    Celebrate

    3:36 70% lower sponsorship offer
    5:21 You can do it too

    6:04 Women have babies, they don’t disappear
    8:34 bet on yourself

  24. Tim Lane

    April 22, 2022 at 9:26 pm

    👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽🙌🏾🙌🏾thank you allyson

  25. Sandile Kubheka

    April 23, 2022 at 2:18 am

    ‘That feeling of being terrified is your invitation to create change’

    Powerful 👌🏽

  26. Francis Nguyen

    April 23, 2022 at 5:09 am

    Amazing talking 👄 TED, Allyson Felix.

  27. Josh Narode

    April 24, 2022 at 2:10 am

    At 3:47 – ageism is inserted in the conversation. Wow! Really? The radical notion that as one (man or woman) ages they become less effective and relevant in elite sports. So athletes at 56, who are no longer competing, should get the same contracts they got at 26 when they were winning gold medals? Sure why not.

    • An

      April 24, 2022 at 6:39 am

      But she wasn’t even old at the time lol? Nor were her performances declining. You’re reaching

    • Josh Narode

      April 24, 2022 at 5:15 pm

      @An She WAS old at the time. She was 32, which for an elite track athlete is old. Usain Bolt’s last Olympics was 2016 Rio – he was 30. She made a blanket statement about capitalism and ageism. I’ll be the first to say capitalism lacks compassion, but what is the expectation here? That a company continue paying athletes at the same level regardless of age and anticipated performance? Nike thought Andre Agassi was over the hill and they dropped him. He went to Adidas.

    • An

      April 24, 2022 at 5:41 pm

      @Josh Narode Don’t know if you watch T&F but many of the top athletes are 30+. And Usain is a completely different story. He stated prior to Rio he was retiring afterwards. His body was destroyed so HE chose to retire at 30.

      Allyson on the other hand was planning to continue and still running well. She literally medaled at Worlds the year before. That did not warrant a 70% contract reduction. I understand a reduction if someone is obviously slowing down—but she wasn’t.

  28. Faith Ellis

    April 25, 2022 at 8:36 am

    Excellent heart-warming presentation Allison! Thanks for being so real, and so very authentic. What an amazingly fantastic speaker you are!!! 💥💥💥

  29. Jake Baker

    April 26, 2022 at 4:51 am

    Girl power!

  30. Luna Trần

    April 26, 2022 at 5:55 am

    Thank you

  31. dylan costello

    April 27, 2022 at 6:19 am

    Lil I hope you watch this, it’ll be good for you

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