The debut of Athlos NYC on September 26 at New York’s Icahn Stadium was more than a track meet—it was a groundbreaking celebration of women’s athletics. Spearheaded by entrepreneur Alexis Ohanian, the event brought a fresh energy to track and field, offering historic prize money, live entertainment, and fierce competition.
Faith Kipyegon, Kenya’s Olympic and world record holder, added another victory to her illustrious career by winning the 1,500 meters in 4 minutes 4.79 seconds. Her performance was a testament to her dominance, holding off Ethiopia’s Diribe Welteji in the final sprint.
Meanwhile, Brittany Brown delivered one of the night’s biggest surprises, narrowly defeating Paris gold medallist Gabby Thomas in the 200 meters with a time of 22.18 seconds. Brown’s upset victory and second-place finish in the 100 meters earned her a remarkable $85,000 in total winnings.
Other standout performances included Marileidy Paulino of the Dominican Republic, who continued her undefeated streak in the 400 meters with a winning time of 49.59 seconds. The meet also featured fierce competition in the 100 meters, where Ivory Coast’s Marie Josée Ta Lou-Smith edged out Brown for first place with a time of 10.98 seconds.
Launched with a mission to elevate women’s track, Athlos NYC offered the largest prize purse in the history of the sport, with winners pocketing $60,000—double that of many other major meets. The top six athletes in each race also shared in the prize pool, ensuring broader recognition and rewards for elite competitors.
Ohanian, co-founder of Reddit, created the event to address a lack of consistent media coverage for track and field outside of the Olympics. His vision for Athlos was to transform it into a must-see event, attracting both athletes and fans to the sport. “Every four years, track captivates the world during the Olympics, and then it disappears. That had to change,” Ohanian said, explaining his motivation to offer unprecedented financial support to athletes.
In addition to record-breaking performances, Athlos NYC brought entertainment to the forefront. Grammy-winning artist Megan Thee Stallion performed live, making the meet feel more like a festival than a traditional competition. DJ Derrick “D’Nice” Jones curated custom walk-out songs for each athlete, while Tiffany crowns replaced standard medals for the champions—offering a touch of luxury to the high-stakes event.
In a nod to his commitment to empowering women in sports, Ohanian introduced a giveback program that redistributed 10% of event revenue to all athletes, further boosting their earnings. Olympic champions from the recent Paris Games received additional bonuses, making Athlos NYC a financial and athletic game-changer.
As athletes like Brittany Brown expressed their excitement for the future of the sport, Ohanian’s vision for Athlos NYC was clear—redefine the standard for women’s track by elevating both the athletes and the event experience. With its unique blend of world-class competition and entertainment, Athlos NYC has set a new precedent for the future of track and field.
