advocate for maternal rights after her own experience of maternal care in the health system and bruising encounters with sponsors. bbc 100 women met allyson here at the sports campus named after her in the university of southern california, where she studied, to talk about how we can make women athletes�* lives better, the challenges of combining motherhood and elite sport, and the changes she wants to bring about in her retirement years ahead. welcome to 100 women in conversation. thank you for being here. thank you for having me. well, we are at the university of southern california, where you studied, and we are overlooking the track and field which is named after you. one of the sporting facilities in your name.

how does that feel? oh, it's still such a strange feeling. i mean, i remember being here as a student and spending so much time here. never in my wildest dreams would i have imagined that this field would be named after me. i feel so honoured. well, indeed. i mean, you're here, you're on the bbc 100 women list because of your incredible sporting achievements. you're the most awarded american track and field athlete, with 11 olympic medals, 20 world championships. but that's notjust the only bit. yourjourney has then gone on, and i want to talk about that journey. i want to understand that, when you started back in 2004, in athens, your first silver medal in 200m, at that time, what was driving you? at that time it was all about the competition. you know, i was a teenager and i was so excited. everything was brand—new and i wanted to, you know, achieve greatness. um, i was reallyjust striving after it. you know, i was learning,

i was learning so much about the sport and how to compete away from home. i think that was really the moment that the fire was lit, and i knew that it was going to take a lot more to reach my goals. but that's where it all but that's where it all started. started. and the fire kept burning. and the fire kept burning. and all the way, if we fast and all the way, if we fast forward to tokyo 2020, forward to tokyo 2020, when you came back to the track when you came back to the track as a mother, as a mother, what was driving you then? what was driving you then? because i think it was more because i think it was more than what you just described. than what you just described. yes. at that point, everything yes. at that point, everything had changed for me. had changed for me. i think i finally understood i think i finally understood that my purpose was so much bigger that my purpose was so much bigger thanjust running fast thanjust running fast athlete that showed up and just getting medals. and just getting medals. and so, when i arrived in tokyo, and so, when i arrived in tokyo, being a mother and overcoming being a mother and overcoming so much adversity, it was full so much adversity, it was full circle, you know. circle, you know. i knew that my daughter i knew that my daughter was watching. was watching. i knew the hardship i had been i knew the hardship i had been through with my sponsor. through with my sponsor. and i was showing up and i was showing up and competing in shoes and competing in shoes from a company that i had built. from a company that i had built.

i really had evolved from that i really had evolved from that athlete that showed up just trying to run fast. and your daughter camryn was born in 2018. i mean, the first pregnancy is a lot ofjoy, it's a lot of anticipation, but as you just alluded, it was a very difficult

in 2019, felix wrote an opinion piece for the new york times that called out her former sponsor for not providing guaranteed protections for pregnant athletes and new mums. it was titled... one of the lay points that felix fought for was a contractual guarantee that athletes wouldn't be punished if their performance dropped in the months surrounding childbirth. i want protection around maternity. i want that to change. i know that it's been said, but i want to see change. i am in this process right now. i am under negotiations. i want to be able to sign a contract that says there is maternity rights. the reaction to it was immediate and led to nike totally rewriting their maternity contracts

for all their female athletes. the new contracts guaranteed an athlete's pay and bonuses for 18 months around pregnancy. you did call out your sponsor in 2019, in an op—ed that you wrote for the new york times. you revealed that you had asked them to guarantee them not to punish you if you weren't at your best performance right after childbirth, and that they had declined at that moment. how hard was it to come out public with that information? it was extremely difficult. you know, they said that they would give me time to recoverfrom pregnancy, but they weren't willing to set that precedent for all female athletes. i think because ijust went through the situation i did with my daughter, itjust felt unacceptable to me that i would let her generation take on this fight. and so that's really where that push and that courage came from to speak out, because i've always been an athlete that's been very private

and i haven't spoken out at the time about anything. and so this was so outside of my comfort zone, but it was that important. were you scared at any point? i was terrified. i was terrified what the consequences would be. i was terrified in how it would be received. itjust wasn't in my nature. so it was really difficult to be able to just be vulnerable. and at that time, you said that you felt the sports industry was run by men for men, that it was discriminatory. has that changed in the five years since? i think there's been a lot of progress since that time. i think about when i went through that and all of the negotiations, i was dealing with a team of all men, who were basically telling me how i would come back from childbirth. i think that now there are more women who have seats at the table and have power, but we still have a long way to go. i think that we have momentum, but real change, you know, sometimes it takes a long time.

and now you also have a seat at the table. you're one of the four members of the international olympic committee's athletes�* commission. what powers does that give you? myjob will be to listen to the athletes and hear what they're going through, what they need, and be a representation from them, and really to bring new energy to the commission. 0bviously, i'm just starting out, but i want to represent the athletes well. and what is the blue—sky thinking on that? what is the one thing you'd like to move in your time there? and you have eight years. i think, in my experience, i can bring a lot to the table regarding female athletes and regarding equality and representation there. and so i think that's my strong suit and i really want to have an impact there. in paris, we were able to

have the nursery for the first time. yes, incredible — a family space for athletes for the first time ever at an olympic games. i consider that a huge win and i want to build off of that. but ideas like that, you know, not going the traditional route. just because things have always been one way, we don't have to stay in that box. so maternal health is clearly your passion area. have you heard anything else from athletes you've been able to speak to up until now, after taking this responsibility? i've heard, you know, a lot of feedback from the nursery, how we can continue to grow that. i think when it comes to female athletes, i think starting a family is a point that is very personal. but i think a lot of athletes have feelings on that so i have some ideas around that as well. i'll continue to listen and see how we can help.

care to share some of those ideas? i think we're just on the early stages of thinking through things, but i will share from my own experience. i know, with my second pregnancy, just dealing with fertility issues, i had an ivf pregnancy. i would like to support athletes who go through a journey like that. just hearing from them, different ideas around that, and kind of diving into that space. it is a difficult period when you are an active sports person and it was for you. what would your advice be to any female athlete considering motherhood, or someone who's just stepped into it, about coming back to the sport? my encouragement would be go with what your heart's desire is. if it is your decision to have a child in the midst of your career, then do that. we're working really hard to support women who make that choice,

and i don't think that you should have to put it off. if you want to put it off, and it's something that you see down the line, then do that. and if it's not your choice to be a mother at all, do that. so i think it's being able to have the power to make those decisions yourself in your own timing. that's what it's all about. and making sure that the systems are in place will support that. and apart from sponsorship support, which is what you had to fight, what else would an athlete who's stepping away to become a mother and then coming back on the track, what other support can sports bodies like the ioc offer? one thing that i'm really interested in is around childcare. that's a huge barrier to be able to re—enter the sport and figure out travelling the world and who is caring for your child. so i'm interested to figure out better ways to do more work around that as well, because it's hard enough as a woman who has had a child to come back. you know, it's hard mentally, it's hard physically. so many things. so to be able to take something off

of that plate is what i look to do. is gender pay parity an issue that you feel you'd want to work on, and what kind of difference do you think you could make in that? that is something that i'm really interested in, and it's something that i feel can continue to improve. at the olympics, i felt like it was a job well done to get to this place, but there's still more to do. more work to do and more representation. and so i definitely hope to do work on that as well. i just want to talk about something that was a really sad development and a story that shocked the whole world earlier this year. when your fellow 0lympian, rebecca cheptegei, was set on fire by a former partner and died. yeah. when you heard of that, what went through your mind? just devastation. i mean, i think it'sjust so awful, you know, that a woman so accomplished, so celebrated...

it's horrible for anybody to be subjected to something like that. but this day and age, i thought it was just a horrific, horrific event. so horrifying. compared to men especially, women athletes do seem to be more vulnerable to violence and abuse, as various studies have suggested. what do you think can fix that situation or improve it and have a wider impact? mm. i definitely don't have the answer of what can improve it or how we can fix it, but it is such a real problem. i think as sports people who have a platform and who are role models, you know, i think that that is something that we can control. the messages that we put out and that this is just unacceptable for anyone.

you know, i think that's an area that we can really take ownership in. this year, felix worked with the olympics committee to introduce a nursery to introduce a nursery to the olympic village at the 2024 to the olympic village at the 2024 paris 0lympics for the first time. paris 0lympics for the first time. i think it really tells women that i think it really tells women that you can choose motherhood and also you can choose motherhood and also be at the top of your game. be at the top of your game. it is a part of a series of efforts it is a part of a series of efforts felix hopes to make on improving felix hopes to make on improving maternal health care in the industry maternal health care in the industry and at home. and at home. this year, she was also this year, she was also amongst black women. awarded a $20 million grant awarded a $20 million grant from the gates foundation to improve from the gates foundation to improve maternal health outcomes maternal health outcomes for black mothers in the us. for black mothers in the us. it was an issue she took it was an issue she took up following the death up following the death of her team—mate, tori bowie, of her team—mate, tori bowie, who died from postpartum who died from postpartum complications, as well as her own complications, as well as her own experience of a premature birth experience of a premature birth of a baby daughter in 2018. of a baby daughter in 2018. felix took her cause to the us felix took her cause to the us congress, where she highlighted congress, where she highlighted

the rate of maternal mortality the rate of maternal mortality amongst black women.

there's still an implicit bias in our health care system, and we're not seeing the numbers change quick enough. and so a lot of the things that i spoke about in front of congress are still issues today, and we have a lot more work to do. what do you think is the biggest support that is lacking that women of colour especially need when it comes to maternal health? when i talk to many women, one of the things that i always hear is that they are not being heard. when you're in a doctor's office and you are saying that, "i think something is wrong." being dismissed, not being believed, that is a huge problem. the statistics says 80% of the complications in deaths that women of colour go through regarding pregnancy

are preventable. and i'm alwaysjust shocked by that number. you know, it's staggering. but it also is very hopeful because that is something that can turn around, but it's not going to turn around if we're not educating our medical professionals, if we're not doing something to combat these problems. and so, real work and real changes need to be made. is there something specific that you think the government can do to address this? i think that, you know, putting money into research — that needs to be done. there is policy changes. the momnibus act still has not fully passed. and so making sure that things like that are taking place so that we can have the resources that we need to continue down this path to have better outcomes. we're discussing maternal health so we do need to talk about the right to abortion as well. what are your thoughts on that? i think that women should have their rights. there is so much that has to do

with your well being, you know, decisions that are being made, and so, yeah, i think fully that we should be able to own our own decisions and choices. do you think about that when you think about your daughter's future, whether she will have that right? how difficult it's going to be going forward? yeah. any time i think about women's rights in general, i think about the next generation and i think having a daughter makes it very personal. a lot of the issues that i tackle, i have that personal connection and calling. and so i do — i think about her and her generation and the things that they might be without. do you worry? i'm concerned, you know, as a parent, and as we have seen so many things change in the world, it is a scary time.

and so i think about, you know, what she might endure, her generation, and i think it's the motivation to work so hard now, to try to combat that. this has been a very important happy year for you with the birth of your second child, trey. congratulations. thank you. and on the professionalfront, you have got this big grant, $20 million grant by melinda french gates, who's a philanthropist but also a 100 women alumni, to work on the issue that you're so passionate about — maternal health. have you thought about how you're going to use that money? i have. i'm so grateful for melinda's commitment to women's health. and in this phase of her life, what she's doing around that is really monumental. i've decided to focus in on maternal health,

on black maternal health, and really on organisations who are doing important work within their own communities and really touching women who are most at risk and who are, you know, doing urgent work to come out with better outcomes. it's really been very interesting to learn the landscape better, to hear what's happening in different parts of the world and to try to support those organisations. so would that work be centred in the united states or in different countries, maybe the continent of africa or other developing nations? yeah, it's open globally. and so, obviously, i have my most experience in the states and in my own communities, but i am actively speaking to organisations all over the world. and so, this is an issue all over the world as well so i'm excited to learn more. you also co—founded a sports management firm recently, adding

to the list of your achievements as an entrepreneur now. how much are you hoping to change in the way women athletes are represented through this venture? i'm very hopeful. ifeel like i have learned so much through my own career, and i think about this management firm, always alpha, as part of my legacy. you know, how i will pass that knowledge down. it's the first firm that is fully focused on women and i think that's a very important thing. it's much needed in this world. i think women shouldn't be an afterthought, especially as we think about their business and how that strategy is created. and so i'm really excited to hopefully have an impact on the women who are involved in sports. how is that strategy different? i'm curious. i think i look at historically how men have been represented,

the sponsors that they've had. traditionally, i think women have been put in the same box, you know, the same sponsors from 20, 30 years ago — we're seeing that continue on. i think we need new players. we need brands that are focused specifically on women, whether it's a beauty brand or something where women are at the forefront. itjust makes sense. that's how it should be. and so excited to try to shift that a bit. and the theme for bbc 100 women this year is resilience. you tie in with that so nicely! we want to celebrate women for the resilience they've showed in their personal lives and their daily lives in the face of adversity. what does resilience mean to you? you know, to me, it's learning how to navigate really difficult situations and continue through.

you know, not accepting "no." not accepting the way things have always been done, finding a new path and forging forward. you graduated from here in 2007, 17 years back. do you have a favourite memory of that time? i really enjoy thinking about my time here with my brother, who also went here. i would come out to the stadium sometimes and just do work in between classes. and so fond memories just being here and studying and being with my brother. so what is harder, being a mother or an athlete? they both have their challenges but being a mother, it's so unpredictable. there are so many challenges. it wears on your heart a lot. and so i would say that that's probably the tougher one. is your daughter interested in sport and athletics in particular? she is athletic.

i see it coming. but right now, she's doing a little bit of everything. tennis and swimming and just, you know, being a kid playing. are there specific challenges you think she will have to face as a woman of colour when she grows up? i mean, growing up as a woman of colour in this world, of course, she'll have hardships, she'll have difficulties. and i want to give her the tools to be able to navigate those challenges. as a mom, of course, i worry about those things, but i will have to make sure that i instil in her character, integrity, and that she'll be able to have the strength to get through those difficulties. what kind of conversation do you think you're going to have with your son, given you're such a fierce advocate of women's rights? yeah, i'm excited that i have a son now, that i can talk to him about being an ally. you know, it's so important for me. my brother is a huge ally

in my life, and i want to talk to him about that, about how you treat women and how he will grow up to be a feminist as well. and so, those things, they really make me happy. do you think we have enough feminist men in this world? of course not. of course not. we can always use more. and i'm excited to raise him to know that he can be a part of solutions. that he can be a help and that he can be proud to be a feminist as well. i really want to leave things better than i found them and i get excited about creating change and doing things differently. i don't feel too much of an added burden because of that. ifind morejoy in knowing that, for my kids, i hope that they won't face all the same challenges that i did. thank you. thank you.

hello. the new year didn't get off to the best of starts weather—wise. some parts of the uk had strong winds, heavy rain and flooding and with that rain clearing away, we've been ushering in some colder air. so frost and ice to start thursday morning, and then a day of sunny spells and some wintry showers. the satellite picture clearly shows the band of cloud that brought the heavy rain on new year's day, but then a clearance — those clear skies pushing down from the north. also a speckling of shower clouds and this cold air digging southwards.

so a widespread frost and some ice to start thursday morning. could be some slippery surfaces for the journey back to work. many places through the day, though, will see lots of blue sky and sunshine, but some wintry showers running down this east coast. some for wales, northern ireland, the odd shower for south—west england and frequent snow showers in the north of scotland — further accumulations of snow are possible here. windy up towards the north and the east. a cold day — i think there will be parts of scotland and the north of england that may not get above freezing all day long. and then through thursday night, another very cold one. but this band of rain, sleet and snow pushes southwards — that could give rise to some slippery surfaces again on friday morning. widely, those temperatures well below freezing, so another cold start on friday. again, we'll see some spells of sunshine, perhaps a bit more cloud in the mix this time. some showers for northern ireland, wales, north—west england, the midlands — some of these actually i think falling as rain, particularly at low levels. still a fair bit of snow

in the showers across the north east of scotland where it will stay fairly windy — another cold day. and it stays cold into saturday. in fact, there could be some areas of low cloud mist and freezing fog, and if that fog lingers for a good part of the day, those temperatures really will struggle. some wintry showers up to the north. you can see confirmation of those low temperatures through the afternoon, but some wet weather pushing in from the south—west, and this could cause some problems. low pressure swirling in from the south—west, some wet weather, some windy weather, but bumping into the cold air, some of us could see significant snow. uncertainty about the detail at this range, but some travel disruption is possible. it is worth staying in touch with the forecast. bye for now.

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