Alexis Ohanian found himself in the grandstands on June 29, but this time it was not Serena Williams, making him agonize for a victory. As the world stopped to mull over the US Olympic Trials at Hayware Field at the University of Oregon, the Reddit co-founder remained awestruck alongside Gabby Thomas’ boyfriend Spencer McManes as the 200m phenom shot past Brittany Brown to the Finals. 21.81 seconds read the final scorecard—a full 0.09 seconds ahead of Brown’s 21.90s.

It’s like a new world had opened in front of Ohanian. A world rarely treaded upon. As an entrepreneur who’s always got his mind on the next best thing, Ohanian found his next brainchild—the first women-only track event dubbed Athlos NYC. “Seeing in person, it was a little bit of Grand Slam PTSD…It was a fountain of stories, a fountain of storylines, a fountain of drama in those trials. So I definitely was spoiled to have that be my very first. But it also opened my eyes … and reinforced the idea this is a huge opportunity,” the 41-year-old had said after the Trials. 

The investor was also present in Paris—his mind tossing and turning to make track & field a mainstay for US audiences. Now cut to September 26, and that dream’s finally come true, with Gabby Thomas at the forefront.

After a blistering run in Paris with a career-first 200m Olympic gold, Thomas was also extremely ready for the upcoming challenge. However, the event proved to be a unique obstacle. Ahead of the 200m race, she admitted just how tough it’s been: “Honestly, it’s one of the biggest challenges I think I’ve ever had to face.” In fact, the emotional rollercoaster after snagging hardware in Paris and hitting the track again instead of resting had been bound to take a toll on her.

That toll made an untimely show tonight as Thomas got edged out by fellow American Brittany Brown by 0.03 seconds. Brown—who won bronze in the 200m race in Paris—finished at 22.18s while Gabby settled for 22.21s in the latter’s marquee event. But that defeat couldn’t block her from giving an honest opinion regarding her work with Alexis Ohanian. Earlier this year, Gabby and Alexis teamed up to unveil the concept for Athlos NYC 2024, working hand in hand to shape the blueprint for this groundbreaking event. Even in defeat, Gabby’s influence and partnership with Ohanian made their mark on a night of history in the making.

That feeling of working together also made the Olympian say on Sep 26, “He didn’t know anything about track, and now he’s using track lingo when he’s talking about, you know, our sport in the races, which I really appreciate.” However, Gabby had the engagement with her track duties as well. So, she had to side herself for the period from the essential role. Tonight, when she was asked about the note, Gabby disclosed a few valuable pieces of information. 

In the question of her direct role in the contest during the Olympics, Gabby Thomas replied, “There was a lot of stuff kind of influx when this was going on so all the details weren’t kind of hashed out so definitely was focused on the Olympics for the most part and then, you know everything kind of came together as it should.” In the meantime, as per her, Alexis Ohanian took the mantle of setting the motion. Thomas has no qualms with that, although.

Rather, the three-time Olympic champion has her flowers for the Reddit founder. Ohanian has, after all, established the framework for a competition in which each participating athlete is guaranteed a prize. Contrary to Diamond League’s $10,000 to winner across 14 events and World Athletics’ $50,000 reward to US Olympic gold medalists, Athlos paid $60,000 to victors across six events. Additionally, second place would take home $25,000, and third, fourth, fifth and sixth place would be awarded $10,000, $8,000, $5,000, and $2,500 respectively.

Not just that, Ohanian didn’t just create another competition—he’s built a framework where every athlete walks away with something, a portion of the overall revenue guaranteed to all remaining participants. But it’s not just about the money; it’s about the spotlight. Ohanian’s vision is bringing much-needed media attention to women athletes. Gabby has been vocal about Ohanian’s impact, saying, “You see it. I mean, he [Alexis Ohanian] really doubled the prize money of the Diamond League, and that’s fantastic because he saw what we deserve, and he doesn’t want to stop there.” That sentiment perfectly captures Ohanian’s mission with Athlos NYC, and Gabby Thomas is the quintessential centerpiece of that grand vision

Gabby Thomas brings in the most essential part of Athlos NYC 

In the realm of women’s sports, Alexis Ohanian is not a new name. Rather, Serena Williams’s husband already has a share in the ownership of Angel City Football Club in NWSL. But surprisingly, he had never been in a single match before buying out the stake in the club. However, Ohanian was present in the Olympic trial, sitting next to Gabby Thomas’s boyfriend, enjoying the gripping drama. So, for him, a lot of things are at the table while formulating Athlos NYC. 

Ohanian was particularly excited about bringing the excitement of the Olympics in Paris to Athlos NYC. After the Diamond League final in Brussels, the chance of it doubled. Furthermore, Gabby Thomas’s inclusion helped to magnify the limelight. The reward money was the cherry on top. Coming as a venture capitalist might have been the easiest part. 

Giving out his mindset on that, the entrepreneur said, “All that takes is a will and dollars. If that’s the top prize money, think of all the other athletes who cannot professionally do this sport. So how much are we missing in the array of talent? How much you’re gonna get, if we actually professionalize this a bit more. That just makes it appealing. And no one should be complacent with a $60,000 top prize. This is just a starting point and how we now work to build the infrastructure.” Now, as the first edition concludes, the fans will eagerly wait to see the rest of it.