LThe figure of Allyson Felix, the most successful athlete in the history of athletics both at the World Cup -with 18 medals- and at the Olympics -11 medals-, She has also transcended into tartan, especially in the later years of her career, as one of the great mother defenders in elite sport.

The American raised his voice after the recent death of his partner Tori Bowie, who an autopsy says died of eclampsia (seizures or coma during pregnancy) when she gave birth at home. Felix called for better maternity care for black women to ensure his teammate’s death was “not in vain”.

The sprinter explained in an interview on ‘Time’ that of the four athletes who made up The 4×100 relay, which was proclaimed champion at the three Rio Olympics, had serious complications, fatal in Bowie’s case, during pregnancy and childbirth. “Three medalists from that team went on to become mothers. All three of us, all black women, had serious complications,” explained Felix. “Tori has passed away. We have a health crisis for black mothers. Here you have three Olympic champions and we are still in danger.”

Statistics reveal that the death rate of motherhood for black women in the United States is 2.6 times higher than the rate for white women. In the UK, data published by the University of Oxford in 2021 shows that black women are four times more likely to die during pregnancy and childbirth than white women.

Three medalists from the team set off to become mothers. All three of us, all black women, had serious complications

Allyson Felix, athlete

Tori’s tragic death aside, that should be remembered Allyson gave birth to her first daughter, Camryn, in November 2018. She had to have an emergency C-section and the baby spent a few days in the ICU. Likewise, Bartoletta had to remain hospitalized after giving birth to her son at 26 weeks pregnant. “I don’t know if I’ll ever come home.”

Also Serena Williams who is now pregnant for the second time. he suffered complications and admitted he nearly died in the following days.

That’s why Felix reiterated the need to demand better care for black women during labour. “I hate that Tori had to die to put this back on the map and get people to pay attention to it. But we need the memorial. I hope Tori, who is on the podium in Rio, with gold on the neck and sweet to the soul, doesn’t die in vain”.