American sprinter Gabby Thomas, who won the women's 200-meter race at the Olympics last August, was among the first athletes to volunteer for Thursday’s first-ever Athlos track meet in New York City. The event is set to take place at the new facility, with excitement building around the competition. (Michael Steele/Getty Images/File)
A groundbreaking all-female track meet in New York City promises to shake up the world of athletics with its unique features: no traditional gold medals, star performances, and major prize money. This Thursday’s Athlos event showcases Olympic champions and aims to spotlight women athletes in a way rarely seen before.
Leading the charge is Olympic 200m gold medalist Gabby Thomas, set to compete against some of the world’s fastest women. However, the event owes its existence not only to these elite runners but also to trailblazing female athletes in other sports. U.S. soccer star Alex Morgan, along with basketball icons Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese, have helped push women’s sports into the mainstream. Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian, the driving force behind Athlos, created this event to challenge the outdated notion that people don't watch women's sports.
Ohanian, husband of tennis legend Serena Williams, was determined to change the game after hearing that women's sports lacked an audience. Athlos, funded by his venture capital firm Seven Seven Six, will award over $500,000 in prize money, with 10% of the proceeds shared among the athletes. The event will also feature a performance by Grammy Award-winning artist Megan Thee Stallion, bringing entertainment and athletics together in an unprecedented way.
"We're new to track and field, but our top priority is supporting these athletes," Ohanian shared. "Women’s sports have long been underfunded, but that's changing now—they’re simply too valuable to ignore." He added that Athlos could be a catalyst for more investment in women’s sports.
Athletes like Alaysha Johnson, a top hurdler, are thrilled about a women-only event. After a season filled with races, including Diamond League events and the Paris Olympics, she’s excited to close the year with Athlos. "It feels like everything is finally revolving around us," Johnson said.
The meet, named after the Greek word for "athlete," will feature various track events, including hurdles, sprints, and middle-distance races. The event will be broadcast across multiple platforms, including YouTube, ESPN-plus, and later rebroadcast on ESPN2.
Prominent athletes expected to compete include reigning Olympic champions like Masai Russell (hurdles), Marileidy Paulino (400m), and Faith Kipyegon (1500m). Johnson expressed her excitement, noting how the event started shifting perceptions about women's track. "It’s incredible to see people invest in us—it’s a clear sign we matter in this sport," she said.
In recent years, the track world has seen increased investment. Sprinting legend Michael Johnson is launching his series, Grand Slam Track, in 2025, offering $100,000 in prize money per event. World Athletics has announced the Ultimate Championships, which will take place in Budapest in 2026, showcasing the best athletes in the sport. Even the annual Diamond League plans to increase its prize pool next season.
Ohanian is confident Athlos will make its mark, with a $60,000 prize and a Tiffany & Co.-designed crown for the winner. He hopes this event will serve as a launchpad for even bigger competitions in the future. Reflecting on his journey into women’s sports, Ohanian recalled being stunned by how popular female athletes were during major events like the World Cup, but then seeing them fade from the spotlight afterwards. That realization led him to invest in Angel City FC, a women's soccer team, and now in track and field.
Ohanian believes the growing popularity of stars like Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese is a testament to how much attention women’s sports can command. A recent NCAA basketball game between Iowa and LSU drew over 12 million viewers, proving that there’s a massive audience for women athletes. "This younger generation of female athletes is driving so much attention," Ohanian said. "It’s time to match that with the investment they deserve."
