Queen of the track Felix soaking in 'full circle' moment before retiring

EUGENE, Ore. : Veteran American sprinter Allyson Felix's 10th and final world championships will serve as a "full circle" moment for the most decorated woman in track, as she brings the curtain down on one of the most dazzling careers in athletics.

The 11-times Olympic medalist announced plans to retire a year ago and leaves the sport as the undisputed queen of American athletics, with 18 world medals already to her name.

She can expect a hero's sendoff from the home crowd in Eugene, Oregon, where she is widely expected to run the 4x400 metres mixed relay on Friday as the United States hosts the international meet for the first time.

"It's just completely full circle to be able to come here to end at home. It's just going to be very, very special," she said on Thursday.

"I am going to miss it so much, but I can't think of a better way to go out than just with a heart full of gratitude and just really thankful for all the people who have supported me."

The 36-year-old rocked the Olympic landscape when she collected her first medal, a silver in the 200 metres, at just 18 years old at the 2004 Athens Games. She kept up her career through Tokyo last year, where she collected bronze in the 400 metres and gold in the women's 4x400 metres relay.

"It's been an incredible journey," she told reporters. "I love this sport so much. It's broken my heart many times, but I've also had many really joyous moments."

Many of Felix's American teammates grew up admiring her with 21-year-old heptathlete Anna Hall telling reporters she had Felix's poster in her bedroom.

"Just the way you carried yourself your entire career has really just set a great example for the rest of the girls in America to follow," said Hall, the collegiate champion, who