Every four years, the Olympics captivate the world, but once the flame is extinguished, what happens next for the athletes? Track and field stars once faced limited opportunities, but the landscape is rapidly evolving. Thanks to initiatives like Michael Johnson’s Grand Slam Track, the Lyles Brothers Sports Foundation, and the 776 Invitational, spearheaded by Alexis Ohanian, new doors are opening for these athletes.

Recently, World Athletics announced a $2.4 million fund to reward gold medalists from the Paris Olympics, granting $50,000 to each winner across 48 events. But there’s more on the horizon. In a thrilling development, Ohanian hinted on the CBS Morning Show that athletes could soon earn even more than World Athletics’ offering. This marks a significant shift in the financial landscape for these competitors.

On X, Ohanian posed a poignant question: “Why do people pay attention to these amazing women only every four years?” His appearance on CBS Morning highlighted the need for continuous recognition of exceptional talents like Gabby Thomas, whose brilliance often fades post-Olympics. Driven by this realization, Ohanian is championing the cause, reaching out directly to athletes and exploring their stories, determined to keep the spotlight on their incredible achievements year-round.

As the dust settles from the Paris Olympics, the future for track and field athletes looks brighter than ever, with new initiatives promising greater financial rewards and sustained recognition.

As he puts it, “I pick up the phone I talk to these women they took my call thankfully and I just asked them what you don’t questions and they were the ones who led me to this opportunity which was the sport needed to have a platform at a stage yearly so that we could even better get to know and celebrate these amazing athletes”

When one of the hosts of the show asked Alexis, “It’s such a basic question, but I’ve always wondered—when you watch the Olympics, they’re filling hours of programming with coverage of events like the 22nd race, and you’re completely gripped, wanting to see the replay again. Part of what draws us in, I think, is the financial component, right? So the winner will receive 10% of ticket sales, and the other runners will have conversations about it.” This question encapsulates the complexities of athlete recognition and the financial incentives that can enhance the allure of these incredible performances.

To this with full confidence, Alexis replied, “Yes, we have and this was not sophisticated. I asked these runners, ‘Hey, what’s the Grand Prize you can win during the regular professional season?’ $30,000 was the top prize for the end-of-season races. I said, ‘Great, we’re going to double it for one single race,’ so all of a sudden we got the biggest prize list. But let’s go a step further. This 10% program means all of the revenue we generate from Atlas NY— that’s ticket sales, merch, brands, broadcast deals, hot dogs we sell— 10% of all that revenue goes into a pool and is split evenly between all 36 women who are lining up. So again, this is just the start.

He further added, “I’m not patting myself on the back here to say, ‘Hey, job’s finished,’ but it was so exciting to start from a very simple place, which was to talk to these athletes, ask them what they want, and do our best to meet their needs. To be a professional athlete, obviously you need a lot of resources, and the story can be told for a lot of other athletes, but starting here with track, I couldn’t be happier.”

And guess what? The prize money at Athlos NYC is remarkable. First place will earn $60,000, second place $25,000, third place $10,000, fourth place $8,000, fifth place $5,000, and sixth place $2,500. This prize structure far exceeds what is offered by the World Athletics and Diamond Leagues. Alexis Ohanian, who is backing this initiative, shared his rationale: “One of the biggest reasons to start ATHLOS was because of these athletes.”

He further added, “these women are amazing to work with; they care so much and are so dynamic; they deserve the biggest and best possible platform for their talents—yearly.” Even , Gabby Thomas has already announced her participation, showcasing the event’s appeal. Also, Michael Johnson is elevating the sports by paying top dollar for his new league.

Michael Johnson’s Grand slam track to revolutionize athletics

Michael Johnson made waves with the launch of his new athletics league, Grand Slam Track, set to debut in April 2025. This ambitious league will offer a top prize of $100,000 and features a substantial prize fund of $12.6 million split across four annual events, including two hosted in the United States. Each event will see athletes compete in two races, with 48 athletes contracted to the league.

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, the Olympic and world 400m hurdles champion, has been announced as the league’s first athlete. As discussions about financial compensation in athletics intensify, Johnson emphasizes the need for change, stating, “The structure of the sport in the past has not compensated those athletes to take that risk to go and compete against the best athletes in the sport.”

With the Diamond League offering $30,000 per event and World Athletics introducing a new global championship in 2026 with $150,000 prizes, Grand Slam Track aims to set a new standard for athlete remuneration. Grand Slam Track and others are set to revolutionize the sport, making track and field a year-round spectacle.