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‘It Wasn't My Best Race': Allyson Felix Reflects on Silver Medal, Competitor's Dive

Felix’s silver made her the most decorated female athlete in American track and field history

American track star Allyson Felix missed out on her fifth career gold medal Monday night when Shaunae Miller of the Bahamas fell across the finish line of the woman’s 400m.

Some on social media were angry that the dive is considered legal. On NBC’s “Today” show Tuesday morning, Felix said she's "not too used to seeing" a dive like that in a track race.

"It happens every now and then but it's not too common," she said.

Instead Felix focused on her own performance after Miller beat her by 0.07 of a second. 

"It wasn’t my best race,” Felix said. “I felt like it got a little bit away from me. Coming home, that’s when I tried to give all I had."

Miller, for her part, told The Associated Press after her win that the dive was not planned. "I don't know what happened. My mind just went blank," Miller said. "The only thing I was thinking (about) was the gold medal, and the next thing I know, I was on the ground."

Felix sat on the track for 20 minutes following the race before addressing NBC’s John Lewis. She said that coming to terms with the outcome of this Olympics would be difficult.

“It’s going to be tough,” Felix said. “I'm just going to try and pick myself up.”

By Tuesday morning it appeared that process had already begun.

Despite the disappointment, Felix's silver medal achievement made her the most decorated female athlete in American track and field history with seven Olympic medals, surpassing Jackie Joyner-Kersee.

“It is something that I am definitely very very proud of,” Felix said on "Today."  “To be in the same sentence as Jackie Joyner-Kersee who is a mentor and idol, that’s going to take some getting used to.”

Asked what she wanted to communicate to young kids who look up to her, she said it’s important to keep fighting.

"You’re going to have obstacles,” she told “Today.” “There’s going to be adversity. Let your spirit shine through."

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