Innovation often comes from unexpected places. Similar is the entry of Alexis Ohanian, the tech mogul and co-founder of Reddit, who has recently turned his attention to the world of track and field. Ohanian has been known for his disruptive ideas and successful ventures. And now, he’s on a mission to elevate athletics, particularly women’s sports, to new heights.

Ohanian’s latest project, 776 Invitational, has been rebranded as the Athlos initiative. It has not only been promising unprecedented prize money but also a groundbreaking approach to how the sport is presented to the world. But as Ohanian’s bold ideas take shape, they haven’t gone without scrutiny. This time, it has come from an athlete, for whose success Ohanian has never stopped rooting.

Ohanian has devoted years immersed in the sport’s culture, fascinated by its passionate fan base and the vibrant online community that surrounds it. This deep dive led him to question some of the most fundamental aspects of the sport, including the very structure of the track itself. Ohanian wondered, “Why does it (the track) have to be oval?” To many, especially those steeped in the sport’s traditions, this may seem like a naïve question. But for Ohanian, challenging such assumptions is the key to innovation.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 12: Champion for Equality Award Recipient Alexis Ohanian speaks on stage during The Women’s Sports Foundation’s 2022 Annual Salute To Women In Sports Gala at Pier Sixty at Chelsea Piers on October 12, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by John Lamparski/Getty Images for WSF)However, not all of Ohanian’s ideas have been met with open arms. During a brainstorming session, Olympic medalist Gabby Thomas didn’t hesitate to push back against his vision of a Formula 1-style circuit track. In a recent Spotify podcast, Alexis Ohanian sat with Citius Mag to unravel his dream athletic project. While asked about Thomas’ challenging Ohanian’s radical vision, Ohanian said, “That’s great, right? ’cause I wanna discard those dumb ideas. But again, I want to question this is first principle thinking, why does it have to be oval?”

Thomas’s critique was crucial, reminding Ohanian that even the most innovative ideas need to be grounded in reality. But Ohanian himself admitted to Thomas’ words. He values feedback from those with firsthand experience in the sport. However, despite a few challenges and Ohanian trying to navigate his practical expertise, the Athlos initiative is gaining momentum.

Alexis Ohanian’s Athlos Initiative is redefining women’s track with unmatched prize money and bold vision

Alexis Ohanian has sought to revolutionize track and field for women from the very next month itself. The event, set to take place in September 2024, will feature a select group of elite female sprinters, each vying for a share of a substantial prize pool. With the likes of top track phenoms including Gabby Thomas, Faith Kipyegon, Lieke Klaver, and many more, Ohanian will set the stage for a thrilling showdown just after the hangover of the Paris Olympics is over.

Being a die-hard track enthusiast, Ohanian also wants her daughter, Olympia, to aim for glory in athletics. But Olympia’s mother, Serena Williams, has stated clearly that she won’t allow the same until “they pay her what she’s worth.” And this might have sparked Ohanian’s intent to work towards the growth of women’s sports. And thanks to Alexis Ohanian again, the stakes are higher than ever in track and field. Athlos initiative would offer a staggering prize purse that’s unmatched in the sport. With $60,000 for the winner and payouts extending to all participants, Athlos is redefining how athletes are compensated.

NEW YORK, USA, August 29: Serena Williams’s daughter Olympia and husband Alexis Ohanian in the team box as Serena Williams of the United States prepares for her match against Danka Kovinic of Montenegro on Arthur Ash Stadium in the Women’s Singles round one match during the US Open Tennis Championship 2022 at the USTA National Tennis Centre on August 29th 2022 in Flushing, Queens, New York City. (Photo by Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images)Ohanian is determined to challenge the status quo and bring a new level of excitement to track with the Athlos initiative. Moreover, striving for equal and just pay for women track athletes, Ohanian is not only hoping for betterment but is aiming to make the changes. Whether his ideas will ultimately transform the sport remains to be seen. However, the venture itself promises to be as thrilling as the showdowns on the track.