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Record-breaking runners

Two of the most decorated female sprinters on the planet talk to Kim Chakanetsa about smashing records, the impact of pregnancy and calling out sex discrimination in their sport.

Two of the most decorated female sprinters on the planet, from the US and Jamaica, talk to Kim Chakanetsa about smashing records, the impact of pregnancy, and calling out sex discrimination in their sport.

Allyson Felix is an American sprinter who one year after giving birth to a premature baby, beat Usain Bolt’s record for winning the most world championship gold medals. After Allyson exposed her sponsor Nike for asking her to take a 70% pay cut on a new deal post-pregnancy, the brand changed its policy on pregnant athletes.

Jamaican sprinter Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce has won more 100m world titles than any other athlete in history, male or female. After taking a break from athletics to have a child, she became the world's fastest woman for the fourth time in 2019, bagging two gold medals at Doha.

Both athletes are aiming to add to their medal tally at the postponed Tokyo Olympics in 2021.

Produced by Jane Thurlow

IMAGE DETAILS
Left: Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce (credit Will Twort)
Right: Allyson Felix (credit Wes Felix)

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27 minutes

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Sat 23 Jan 2021 18:32GMT
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