The inaugural Athlos NYC women-only track meet, held at Icahn Stadium last month, was a huge hit, earning praise from everyone involved. Organized by Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian, the event brought together some of the fastest women in the world and offered the biggest prize purse in women’s track history. Olympians like Gabby Thomas, Faith Kipyegon, and Alexis Holmes competed, and Grammy winner Megan Thee Stallion performed to cap off the night. After the success of the meet, Ohanian confirmed he plans to host another in 2025.

On a recent episode of the podcast “Ready Set Go,” Ohanian opened up about the event, his role as an outsider in the track world, and even his personal best in the 100m, giving fans a glimpse into what’s next for Athlos. The meet featured six races, including the 100m hurdles, 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, and 1500m, showcasing some of the world’s top female athletes.

However, Ohanian hinted at much bigger plans for Athlos, emphasizing that the event is just the beginning. “I feel like we’re on to something… but obviously still a lot more to do, and I can’t help but look at some of these stars like Tara and think, God, we got to find ways, uh, for… I don’t want to,” he shared. “But obviously still a lot more to do… We’re in phase one… I’m already still thinking like how phase two goes, um, because, you know, I don’t ever want to half-a** anything.”

Alexis Ohanian learned from the mistake and now emphasized that Athlos was never intended to be a one-time event and that his goal was to make a lasting impact in the track and field world. “The plan always from the start with Athlos was more than just one event,” he explained. He explained that he’s now at a stage in his career where he is focused on pursuing only ambitious, meaningful projects alongside talented people.

Fully aware of his status as an outsider in the track community, Ohanian acknowledged the challenge of earning trust but highlighted his team’s expertise in building successful ventures like Reddit and Angel City. His approach is centered on delivering results and exceeding expectations, aiming to establish Athlos as a long-term force in the sport. But Alexis is making much more effort.

Alexis Ohanian changing the landscape of athlete compensation

Alexis Ohanian offered a $60,000 prize for the Athlos NYC track meet, which shook up the sport, especially given the financial challenges many athletes face. For competitors like Olympic finalist Alaysha Johnson, who doesn’t have a major shoe sponsorship, the prize money was a game-changer. Athletes like her often cover travel, medical bills, and gear out of their own pockets, which can add up quickly.

Ohanian’s announcement in April marked the beginning of a shift in how track athletes are compensated. Following this, World Athletics announced a $50,000 prize for Olympic winners, and the Diamond League increased its prize money for the 2025 season. Michael Johnson’s Grand Slam Track (GST) also pledged $100,000 for each meet winner.

But Alexis Ohanian didn’t stop at financial rewards—he wanted Athlos to feel like a true celebration. Booking Megan Thee Stallion to perform turned the meet into more than just a competition; it was an experience. With DJ D-Nice curating the walk-out music and DJ Saige keeping the energy high throughout, the atmosphere was electric. Celebrities like Flavor Flav, Marsai Martin, and Lupita Nyong’o added star power to the event, while a red carpet and crowning ceremony with Tiffany & Co. made the athletes feel like the stars they are. Ohanian’s goal was clear: to make Athlos a groundbreaking event that truly honored the women competing, and he succeeded in turning it into something special.