Athlos came, conquered, and turned the women’s track upside down in an Icahn-ic way! Last week marked the exciting debut of Athlos at the legendary Icahn Stadium. This wasn’t just any race; it brought together the fastest women in the world and featured the largest prize purse in women’s track history! With a unique giveback structure that genuinely rewards the athletes, Athlos has set a new standard in the sport. Kudos to Alexis Ohanian for bringing this vision to life!

Athlos was more than just a track meet; it was an all-women’s track and field celebration that offered an astonishing $60,000 for the winners of each event. Inspired by the impressive prize money, even 400m specialist Vernon Norwood jokingly mused about embracing the feminine side! He couldn’t help but smile at how Alexis Ohanian’s passion is reshaping women’s sports.

After Alexis Ohanian shared a post on X, stating, “Each announcement about @ATHLOS this year continued to establish its legitimacy,” he also included a screenshot of the Forbes magazine cover featuring the headline, “How Alexis Ohanian Changed The Landscape Of Women’s Sports With Athlos.” In his caption, he added, “@kxnaomi breaks down for @forbes what we did to make just one night = a whole different landscape for women’s track.” Not one to miss a beat, Vernon Norwood quickly chimed in with a playful response: “Next year, I’m pulling up with my wig on. I need a lane!” With a laughing emoji.

In response, Ohanian kept the playful vibe going, jokingly inviting, “Come as a guest in one of our trackside suites and bring dancing shoes instead of spikes!” Vernon didn’t miss a beat, adding with a grin, “Alexis, I have a twin sister, Veronica (Vernon) she’s very talented and can compete in the 100, 200, 400, and 800!” Ohanian then replied with a side-eye emoji. Meanwhile, jokes apart, the Athlos was truly a one-of-a-kind event. It is making a real difference for women who have long faced disparities in sports. Ohanian really gets it and is determined to change the game, ensuring that women in athletics get the recognition and opportunities they deserve.

Alexis Ohanian’s influence on athlete compensation

Alexis Ohanian is married to Serena Williams with 23 grand slam singles titles. Well, the couple has an eldest daughter, Olympia, who is already showing her passion for sports, just like her mom. She enjoys golf and a variety of other activities, but her parents are clear that she won’t step into the professional sports world until the time is right. A few weeks back in an interview, Ohanian addressed a question about whether Olympia would follow in her mother’s footsteps and become a pro athlete.

He recalled a memorable moment from the 2019 World Cup final when they were watching from their rented home in Wimbledon. “Olympia was running around in her Alex Morgan jersey, and I said, ‘Wouldn’t it be great if she played on a national team one day?’” To which Serena responded, “Not until they pay her what she’s worth.” Ohanian admitted, “Touché, okay, challenge accepted,” which sparked his motivation to buy a team and help drive change in women’s sports.

That made Williams and Ohanian purchase a soccer team in 2020. In the same way, he is doing for track and field. Ohanian’s $60,000 prize promise in Athlos shook up the track and field world, highlighting the financial struggles many athletes face. Take Olympic finalist, Alaysha Johnson, for example—she’s unsponsored by any major shoe companies and has to cover her travel, medical bills, and gear on her own.

While some athletes are lucky to have sponsorships, making Ohanian’s check a well-earned bonus, the pay gap in sports is hard to ignore. For context, NFL rookies earn a minimum of $705,000, while Olympic champion Julien Alfred raked in just $154,000 in prize money this year. Ever since Ohanian’s announcement in April, things started to change, as after that, World Athletics promised $50,000 to the winners of each Olympic event—definitely a step in the right direction for better athlete compensation!