27-year-old American hurdler, Alaysha Johnson grabbed a coveted spot in the train to Paris after emerging in second position in 100-meter hurdles in the U.S. Olympics Trials. Clocking a personal best of 12.31 seconds she alongside Masai Russell who timed 12.25 qualified for Paris in the 100-meter hurdles. After making it to Paris, she could not hold back her emotions. However, Johnson had to face fierce criticisms for her emotional outcry from conservative commentator Michael Knowles. But neutralizing the negative impacts, track enthusiast and tech giant Alexis Ohanian supported Johnson by asking fans to turn a blind eye to the comments of Knowles.

In the post-race interview, overwhelmed and emotional Johnson shared, “It was all God. Everybody all the time said I wasn’t good enough (and) said that I didn’t deserve. So, I did this my way, my team’s way and the way it was meant to be”. Voicing her opinion, Johnson further added, “This is for the hood babies, the people who are poor and come from nothing, this is for everybody that looks like me that was ever doubted. And I did it with a Black designer on my chest. This is what I stand for and I’m making a way for everybody in my position.”

As she dedicated her victory to black women everywhere and gave her declaration, “I did this for everybody that looks like me,” she had to face a strong backlash from American commentator, Michael Knowles. Knowles sharply criticized Johnson’s heartfelt dedication, dismissing her efforts to pave the way for others who share her identity. Igniting a controversy, Knowles in a recent video posted on his YouTube channel asserted, “The only people in Olympic running who might not think they can make it are the people who don’t look like her.” The same video was shared by a track enthusiast on their X account. Echoing Knowles’s thoughts, the X post read, “🌶️ Shots fired by Michael Knowles about Alaysha Johnson. “She Is Not paving the way for Black People in Running””.

However, amid this firestorm of backlash and uproar, tech mogul and the husband of Tennis legend Serena Williams emerged as a beacon of support for the rising track star. Alexis Ohanian, who has been supporting women’s growth in track and field, came to Johnson’s defense. Replying to the X post he asked netizens not to pay heed to the negative comments of Knowles on Johnson. Firmly taking a stand for the rising athlete, Ohanian wrote, “Don’t give this clown any of the attention he craves”.

Alexis Ohanian voices support for women athletes while announcing investment in track sports

This isn’t the first time that Alexis Ohanian has been taking a stand for women athletes. Working towards making the track realm a better platform for women athletes to prosper, Ohanian has announced plans to invest in track and field from his venture 776. The father of two daughters dreams of witnessing her older one, Olympia, to play soccer on the international stage. However, their mother, Serena Williams has stated that she won’t want it unless “they pay her what she’s worth”. This has probably further made Alexis Ohanian advocate for women’s rise in the athletic world. After the Paris Olympics ceases, Ohanian has plans to start his project by the end of September this year.

Besides Alaysha Johnson, Alexis Ohanian has also been cheering for Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone after she broke her own world record for the fifth time besides securing her ticket to Paris. Among a sea of fans, Ohanian too took to his X account and shared his joy watching the track phenom grace the top spot on the scoreboard. He posted a picture of the scoreboard and wrote, “Wow WR @GoSydGo 🇺🇲”.