Allyson Felix

[1runner1]

Is Allison Felix greatest USA female track athlete ever?

[booond]

Is Allison Felix greatest USA female track athlete ever?

Ask her coach.

[Atticus]

J.j.k. . . . . . . .

[AFelixFan]

*Allyson.

A case can be made for Felix being the greatest American female sprinter of all-time, but Gwen Torrence, Sanya Richards-Ross, Valerie Brisco-Hooks, and Marion Jones (yes, without the 'assistance' she was phenomenal) belong in the discussion as well. Felix has consistency, longevity, and an unprecedented record of gold medals to her credit, but the aforementioned were/are exceptional all-rounders, and if you look solely at PBs, it's really not much between them.

[guinep]

Hard to say she's the greatest female sprinter (hard to say that about any woman actually) but she definitely occupies a unique place among the all time greats.

[lonewolf]

Felix is on a very short list behind JJK

[WolmTGirl]

I have to through in Torrence, Devers and Ashford in there as well.

Flo Jo if you include Marion in the list.

[hipNrip]

ALL things being considered, it would have to Marion Jones. But if you are looking for a "cleaner" answer I'd have to say Allyson is very close to being that. Another Olympic gold would go a long way to helping her argument.

[t_monk]

What are you looking for to classify her as the greatest?

Medals? Records? Times?

[beebee]

JJK period.

[Samurai_Runner]

T&FN US Women Athletes of the Year (Only since 1976, so there is exclusion bias for those preceding 1976)(3x or more)(excludes 2 for Jones for drug suspension)
Evelyn Ashford 3
Mary Slaney 4
JJK 5
Gail Devers 4
Allyson Felix 4
Marion Jones 3

So, JJK would come out on top based on highest # of US Women Athletes of the Year. I would also give her bonus points for her heptathlon world records (4), dominance of her LJ and Hep records over the 2nd best American for so long, and holding the hep WR for over 29 years. No other US woman can come close to those credentials.

[CookyMonzta]

Margin call for both her and Bob Kersee. <:-O Do they (along with USATF) continue to negotiate with the IOC to seek a sprint-double schedule that favors 200/400 sprinters, or do they back off now and sneak out the back door? :-(

[jazzcyclist]

Considering the fact that Schippers and Thompson are both seven years younger than her, Felix would be wise to tell the IOC "Nevermind".

[The Flying Pigdog]

They will still probably lobby for it (no harm done) and then next year, subtly say "nah, nevermind".

[CookyMonzta]

If you ask Bob Kersee right now about the schedule negotiations, he'll probably give you a cryptic response, as if to squirm his way out of a direct answer.

As far as age is concerned, we've seen late-bloomers blow away the competition before. The best example is obviously Ottey and her 10.74 at 36. I'd even put Sánchez and his London 2012 400H performance, 3 weeks away from his 35th birthday, in that category.

Let's see how Allyson's training goes in the spring. Either they'll give us an answer now (to throw in the towel), or it'll come in May or June.