SIX-time Olympic gold medallist Allyson Felix and long-time rival to Jamaica’s Veronica Campbell-Brown gave birth to a daughter Camryn late last month, several media outlets have reported.

The American track star, who has won 11 World Championship gold medals in a career that has spanned more than a decade, revealed the news during a recent interview in the United States.

“I was so excited to be pregnant. I’ve always wanted to be a mother. I feel so incredibly blessed. This shouldn’t be a secret. I want to share this journey with everyone who has ever known me or cheered for me. So why has it taken me eight months to share this news?” she said.

“I think it’s the same reason it took me until now to feel ready to start a family and have a child. Having a child felt like I’d be risking my career and disappointing everyone who expected me to always put running first,” she continued.

“I’ve always been a private person. Sharing too much, letting people inside the protective bubble we all create on social media was never comfortable for me. It made me feel vulnerable.”

She also revealed that the child was delivered by emergency C-section following complications she was experiencing at 32 weeks. However, both she and the child are said to be doing well.

Notwithstanding the birth of the first child for her and her husband Kenneth, Felix is planning to be ready to compete in her fifth Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan in 2020.
With nine Olympic and 16 World Championships medals, Felix who turned 33 on November 18, is the most decorated female track and field athlete in history. (Sportsmax)