It is just about 48 hours more and the track and field world will see something unforeseen. It is time to witness Athlos NYC, the only track contest, having its gate open for women athletes. Not just that, the brain behind it, Alexis Ohanian, can take his flowers to introduce the contest with one of the biggest purses in the world: $60,000 for the table topper. But that wouldn’t dishearten that athlete who will finish last in the event. 

Ohanian has also announced pushing 10% of the total revenue from the contest for the competing athletes. We may now begin discussing the media coverage, which offers something in the bag for every athlete. Isn’t that revolutionary in every way? An Olympic champion nods in agreement. However, she frowns upon certain faults of the current track and field realm. 

Athlos NYC stands to be a breather in a problematic track and field world 

The NBA legends Udonis Haslem and Mike Miller sat down with Twanisha Terry to get a first-hand idea of the current track and field sports realm. So naturally the discussion moved to Athlos NYC which is on September 26. However, TT hasn’t signed up for the contest.

But that didn’t stop her from praising the exceptional tournament. Equaling it with a one-day event, she unambiguously conceded, “You automatically get 60k and then he has it where the ticket sales and t-shirt sales and stuff the athletes will get a portion of that which we don’t really see in track and field.”

That stands to be exceptional for her, although she has been a pro athlete for a while. Then what did she find different in Athlos NYC? That made her shift deeper. 

Coming from Florida’s Star Athletics, the 25-year-old has hardly seen any break in her contracts or pro-deals. But the reality is starkly different. As Terry, every track and field doesn’t have “the privilege” like her. Therefore, those athletes usually take up jobs to make ends meet. On the other hand, they keep signing up for mega contests to stay in the discussion or platform. But that brings another challenge to them. 

According to Twanisha, the same athlete must book airline tickets to travel to places to compete in track and field events. That may not augur well with the current financial situation the athletes are going through. In this crisis, the only solution can be the introduction of big-budget contests like Grand Slam Track, Athlos NYC, and the World Athletics Ultimate Championships. That may help in the sports’ development as well. But in the meantime, the problem regarding the viewership of the track and field sports made Sha’Carri Richardson’s practice-mate worried.

She displayed her concern over the FlowTrack and Peacock debacle, where subscribing to the former will cost more compared to Peacock. But a solution has yet to take the stage. Therefore, Twanisha Terry has a bagful of issues to ponder. And she is not the first one to name the problems. 

The ongoing issues land the athletes in hot water 

One of the highest-paying track and field contests witnessed Grant Holloway leaving, fuming over the payment issue just weeks ago. To get clarity, he posted on X, “I will not be participating in the Brussels Diamond League final due to failure to reach agreements on the terms of my participation between my team and the meeting directors of the Diamond League. Shame that they doing athletes like that.”

Notably, Holloway has two Olympic medals and numerous titles. And things like this are happening to him! That supports Twanisha’s concern. Things have not been good with Noah Lyles as well. 

Before the US Olympic track and field trials in May this year, Kenny Bednarek flaunted his concern over the flight tickets to move to Oregon to participate. He was not getting any reimbursement or any financial help. The reigning Olympic champion supported him on the issue.

Now, as Athlos NYC is coming closer, athletes like Gabby Thomas and Twanisha Terry are hoping for a better trend to take over the realm. The rest of it is the court of time.