CJ Allen represented Kitsap County at the 2024 Paris Olympics but couldn’t reach the podium. The 29-year-old WSU graduate secured his spot on the national team by running the men’s 400m hurdles final in 47.81 seconds at the US Olympic Team Trials on June 30. Improving on his semi-final time in Eugene, Allen punched his ticket for his debut Olympic Games. This achievement is the result of several factors coming together.

U.S. track and field athlete CJ Allen participated in the Shanghai Diamond League competition on May 3, 2025, finishing sixth in the 400-meter hurdles. He also took part in the 2025 Xiamen Diamond League meet in China, recording a best personal time of 34.96 seconds in the 300-meter hurdles. For most athletes, success depends on a multitude of factors. Often, a strong support system is the key element that helps them attain greatness. For CJ Allen, the story is no different– Craig James Allen’s parents have been his rock support.

Meet CJ Allen’s parents, Jeff Allen and Amy Allen

Get to know the pillars behind CJ Allen’s journey to success: his proud parents, Jeff and Amy Allen. According to an article on the , CJ was the track captain for the Cougars and was widely considered capable of bearing the weight of the responsibility. “CJ has drive and desire; he can be sick and still give 100 percent,” said Jeff, a former middle school track coach himself. It was probably thanks to this kind of unconditional support that helped Craig James Allen to win the 400 mH title at the PAC-12 Championship in his freshman year.

CJ Allen’s sportsman-like mentality and the ease with which he leads his teammates likely stem from the unwavering support of his parents throughout his career. Amy has also been highly supportive, going to almost all of CJ’s track meets and offering constant encouragement. The family is from Allyn, Washington, and their frequent attendance at CJ’s competitions has been a mainstay of his athletic career. Jeff and Amy Allen, CJ’s parents, have only missed one track meet in all his years of running, underscoring the importance of a strong support system.

“They’ve always been super supportive of me and push me in everything,” said Allen about his folks always making sure to stand in his corner when he ran for a place on the podium. CJ’s parents also made sure to cheer for their son at every home game, helping their son to stay motivated with their duties from the stands. CJ Allen’s father, Jeff, told KING 5, “It’s been super special. We’ve been in this track family for a lot of years. He’s been hurdling for 19. I started him off as his coach in elementary school and from there he’s just excelled.”

On the other hand, CJ’s accomplishments only showed his parents that their faith in him wasn’t misplaced. While Paris beckons Jeff with promises of track immortality, he isn’t the only one in the family striving to serve the country every day.

Who are CJ Allen’s siblings?

CJ’s brother Corey is another son that Jeff and Amy can take pride in. While CJ will be one of the flagbearers for the USA in the French capital in a few weeks’ time, Corey, a member of the Marine Corps, works to ensure his countrymen can sleep peacefully at night.

While his family is undoubtedly one of the main sources from which CJ draws his motivation and inspiration, his feat at the Team Trials has brought even more support. “I’ve been getting messages from old friends, people in the community I’ve never met. They’ve all been backing me,” CJ said in an interview with Kitsap Sun after securing his berth for Paris. Along with the support from his family and followers, his unwavering faith in God, he says, is also a mindset that helps him to bounce back from the darkest hours of his life.

What is CJ Allen’s parents’ nationality?

American citizens Jeff and Amy Allen are the parents of CJ Allen. As American nationals, they have firmly rooted CJ Allen in America through his upbringing and success.