The Athlos NYC event, set for today September 26th 2024 at Icahn Stadium in New York City, marks a groundbreaking moment in women’s sports. Created by Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian and Olympic sprinter Gabby Thomas, the event promises to revolutionize women track and field landscape, offering the largest prize purse in the history of women’s track competitions. With a top prize of $60,000 per event, Athlos NYC aims to uplift the sport and inspire future generations of female athletes.
Record-Breaking Prize Pool
Athlos NYC boasts a total prize purse of $500,000, with individual event winners pocketing $60,000, twice the amount offered at prestigious competitions like the Diamond League final. For comparison, first-place finishers at the Diamond League finale earn $30,000. The financial structure of Athlos NYC goes beyond just the top performers; athletes finishing second to sixth will receive $25,000, $10,000, $8,000, $5,000, and $2,500, respectively. Additionally, 10% of all event revenue will be distributed among the athletes, further enhancing their earnings potential.
Key Events and Athletes to Watch
Athlos NYC features six premier races: 100m hurdles, 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, and 1500m. Some of the world’s top athletes are slated to compete, including:
- Gabby Thomas (USA), the Olympic champion and co-founder of Athlos NYC, will compete in the 200m.
- Faith Kipyegon (Kenya), the three-time Olympic gold medalist and 1500m world record holder, is set to run the 1500m.
- Marileidy Paulino (Dominican Republic), a gold medalist in the 400m at the Paris Olympics, will compete in the 400m.
The event will also feature stars like Masai Russell (USA) in the 100m hurdles, Marie Josée Ta Lou (Côte d’Ivoire) in the 100m, and Mary Moraa (Kenya) in the 800m.
A New Standard in Women’s Sports
Athlos NYC is not only about financial rewards but also about shifting the narrative around women track and field. Alexis Ohanian, who was previously the lead investor in Angel City FC, a highly successful National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) team, has brought his focus on empowering female athletes to the track world. “Women athletes, particularly in track, have incredibly engaged fanbases,” Ohanian noted. “This event is about recognizing their talent and providing them with the platform they deserve”.
Athletes like Gabby Thomas and Faith Kipyegon have expressed excitement about participating in a meet that not only offers competitive rewards but also pushes for better representation and equity in women’s sports. Thomas said, “This is bigger than just the race; it’s about advancing women’s sports and creating opportunities for future athletes”.
Entertainment and Atmosphere
In addition to the high-stakes competition, Athlos NYC will blend sports and entertainment, featuring performances by Grammy-winning rapper Megan Thee Stallion and renowned DJ D-Nice. Athletes will make their way to the track accompanied by curated walkout music, adding a festive, fan-friendly atmosphere to the event.
The meet is expected to bring a significant crowd, with tickets still available as of the morning of the event. For those who can’t attend in person, the meet will be streamed live on Athlos’ X (formerly Twitter) and YouTube pages, as well as on, World Athletics, ESPN+ and DAZN starting at 7:00 p.m. ET.
Athlos NYC represents a bold step forward in women track and field, setting a new precedent for financial rewards, athlete-first initiatives, and fan engagement. By offering record-breaking prize money and a dynamic, entertainment-infused environment, this event has the potential to reshape how women’s sports are viewed and valued.
Frequently Ask Questions: Athlos NYC – All Women Track and Field
What is Athlos NYC?
Athlos NYC is an all-women’s track and field event taking place on September 26, 2024, at Icahn Stadium in New York City. It features six races and offers the largest prize pool in women’s track history, alongside musical performances by Megan Thee Stallion and DJ D-Nice.
Who founded Athlos NYC?
Athlos NYC was founded by Alexis Ohanian, co-founder of Reddit, and Olympic sprinter Gabby Thomas. The event was designed to uplift women’s track and field by offering record prize money and creating a fan-friendly atmosphere with entertainment.
Who is Gabby Thomas?
Gabby Thomas is an American sprinter, best known for her Olympic gold medals in the 200m and 4x100m and 4x400m relays. She is also the co-founder of the Athlos NYC event, which aims to elevate women’s track and field.
Who is Mary Moraa?
Mary Moraa is a Kenyan middle-distance runner specializing in the 800m event. She has competed at the Olympic level and will be running in the 800m race at Athlos NYC.
Who is Faith Kipyegon?
Faith Kipyegon is a Kenyan middle-distance runner and three-time Olympic gold medalist in the 1500m event. She holds the world record in the 1500m and is one of the featured athletes at Athlos NYC.
Who is Marileidy Paulino?
Marileidy Paulino is a Dominican track athlete specializing in the 400m. She won a gold medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics and will compete in the 400m at Athlos NYC.
Who is Masai Russell?
Masai Russell is an American sprinter and hurdler, known for her NCAA record in the 100m hurdles. She will be competing in the 100m hurdles at Athlos NYC.
