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A closer look at Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year Nominee Allyson Felix

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March 2, 2013
Moments after finally winning the Olympic 200 metres gold medal, she said: "It has been a long time coming, I've waited so long for this moment.” 
Her relief was understandable.
Amercian athletics star Allyson Felix, who finally became the Olympic 200m champion at London 2012, had twice managed only silver in the event at consecutive Games beforehand.
What’s more, she did so in an incredibly strong field. This included the woman who had beaten her to Gold at both Athens and Beijing Games: Veronica Campbell-Brown.
And along with her 200m victory, by winning gold in the 4x100m and 4x400m relay events, she joined athletics legends Wilma Rudolph and Florence Griffith-Joyner in winning three Olympic golds at a single Games.
Her American 4x100m team, also consisting of Carmelita Jeter, Bianca Knight and Tiana Madison, would also break the 27-year-old world record set by East Germany in 1985.
This rare achievement has been rewarded with Nomination for the 2013 Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year Award.
And Laureus Academy Member Michael Johnson, the American track legend, believes Felix’s achievements could just be enough for her to take the Award on March 11 in Rio.
He said: “It’s always a great moment to see someone finally win Olympic gold in their specialty event. And after getting so close with silvers in the 200 metres at Athens and Beijing, it was fantastic to see Allyson Felix finally go that extra step and take gold in London. That she did it by beating Veronica Campbell-Brown, who took gold ahead of her at both the 2004 and 2008 Games, must have been doubly special for Felix. But that also goes to show just how committed she is an athlete; to keep pushing for greatness eight years on from her first Games is a real achievement in itself. Add that to her incredible team performance with the gold winning American 4x400m team and world record breaking 4x100m team, and you have a runner with the full package here. New names might come through, but I really wouldn’t be surprised to see her on the podium again at the Rio Games in a few years’ time.”
Do you think Felix deserves to take the Award over fellow Nominees Jessica Ennis, Missy Franklin, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, Lindsey Vonn and Serena Williams?
Let us know in the comments below. Don’t miss your chance to show your support! 

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