Allyson Felix, Athleta create $200,000 child care fund for 10 athletes who are mothers

Ahead of her fifth Olympic Games, Allyson Felix is making sure mothers of young children, like herself, have the financial resources necessary for childcare. 

Felix has partnered with her sponsor, Athleta — which Simone Biles left Nike to join — and the Women's Sports Foundation to create The Power of She Fund: Child Care Grants.

The grant program has committed $200,000 to help fund child care costs for mothers who are also athletes while they are traveling to competitions. 

The cause is personal for Felix, the five-time Olympian who has been upfront about the challenges of balancing both responsibilities and voiced her concern regarding the lack of clarity for whether female athletes, some still nursing, could bring their small children to the Tokyo Olympics. 

"It was important to me and to Athleta that our partnership reflects that I am more than just an athlete. In fact, part of my contract includes provisions for my daughter, Camryn, to join me whenever I am competing," Felix said in a release last week. "But not everyone has access to this type of support from a partner or sponsor. These grants are about showing the industry that all mom-athletes need this same comprehensive support to be able to participate in their athletic endeavors."

Felix has won nine medals in her Olympic career — six golds and three silvers — dating back to her first Games in 2004. Her six golds are the most by a woman in Olympic track and field history, and her nine overall medals are tied for the most among female track athletes. Felix qualified for the 400 meters at the U.S. Olympic trials in June.

Thus far, nine "mom-athletes" — six of whom are heading to Tokyo — have been named grant recipients, receiving $10,000 each. They are: 

• Gwendolyn Berry - Track & Field
• Natasha Hastings - Track & Field
• Kaleo Kanahele Maclay - Sitting Volleyball
• Natalie Schneider - Wheelchair Basketball
• Elana Meyers Taylor - Bobsled
• Aliphine Tuliamukc- Track & Field
• Lora Webster - Sitting Volleyball
• Jamie Whitmore - Paracycling
• Mariel Zagunis - Fencing

Grant recipients will also participate in roundtable discussions about creating systemic change when it comes to supporting mothers who are competing.

Follow Chris Bumbaca on Twitter @BOOMbaca.