Alysia Montaño

Alysia Montaño (née Johnson) (born April 23, 1986) is an American middle distance runner. She is a six-time USA Outdoor champion 2007 (1:59.47), 2010 (1:59.87), 2011 (1:58.33); 2012 (1:59.08); 2013 (1:58.67); 2015 (1:59.15)., and arguably gained more publicity for the 2014 race that she competed in while 8 months pregnant. She also ran the same race in 2017's Championships, again while pregnant—this time, at 5 months. She has represented the United States at numerous international championships including the 2012 Olympics. She distinguishes herself by wearing a flower in her hair while running, a personal affectation she adopted to assert her femininity. My life philosophy has been to be bold and courageous — Alysia Montaño On the international level she has exhibited a bold, front running style, challenging other runners to keep up with her. At the 2012 Olympics, Montaño finished in fifth place. In November 2015, the World Anti-Doping Agency recommended two Russian women who finished in first and third be given lifetime bans for their doping violations at the Olympics. When the International Olympic Committee issued disqualifications, Mariya Savinova was given a lifetime ban. As a result, Montaño was given two bronze medals for the 2011 and 2013 World Championships.