The 2024 Athlos NYC is almost upon us, and it looks like not everyone shares the same indecision as Sha’Carri Richardson. Much like her national teammate Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, Richardson is yet to display her true worth in the days after the 2024 Paris Games, and others are looking to seize the opportunity to showcase their talents.

On September 26, track fans will be treated to scintillating action at the Icahn Stadium as Alexis Ohanian’s Athlos NYC kicks off for the first time. Led by the emphatic Gabby Thomas, Ohanian’s female-only track event is expected to enthrall fans with its grand spectacle. With only four days to go for the tournament’s inaugural edition, the latest name to join the event roster has been revealed.

In its post from September 22, the official Athlos X account shared details about the newest athlete to commit to Ohanian’s ambitious project. “Announcing the final trailblazer to join the ATHLOS lineup – @daryllneita,” reads the caption of the post, and things are looking to be shaping up nicely for Thomas & Co. Three-time British Olympian Daryll Neita will hit the tracks in New York, and fans should expect the 3x Olympic gold medalist to dish out a storm. The Athlos post further states, “Representing her home country from across the pond, Daryll will show off her skills on the track in just 4 days,” and ponders whether fans will be able to keep up with the Brit in NYC this Thursday.

Neita is also a three-time World Championships medalist, and crossed paths against both Thomas and Richardson at the recently concluded Paris Olympics. The 2024 European Championships gold medalist once again joined hands with Dina Asher-Smith to take on Team USA in the women’s 4x100m relay at the French capital last month and win silver in the event. But it looks like the rivalry is set aside for the time being.

In an Instagram post by veteran Olympian Tonja Buford-Bailey’s today, Thomas and Neita can be seen in a relaxed mood. In a BTS snippet from their Athlos shoot, the 1996 Olympic medalist shows the duo alongside Tamara Clark and Torrie Lewis sharing a candid moment. But will the lineup be enough to make up for the absence of the iconic Sha’Carri?

How Ohanian and Thomas can compensate for Sha’Carri Richardson

Richardson’s stint in the City of Love in August left fans wanting for more. A pre-race warmup fiasco led to significant controversies before the women’s 100m final at the 33rd Olympic Games. Richardson bagged silver in the event where she was the favorite to win gold, and fans claimed that being restricted from her pre-race rituals led to the disappointing result in the race. However, the 27-year-old didn’t have much to complain about as she was subdued by Saint Lucia’s Julien Alfred, and the former soon returned with her teammates in the 4x100m relay. In the weeks after the Games, Richardson has competed in only two races, with unremarkable results in both.

With the massive hype surrounding the Athlos event, fans expected Sha’Carri to return to the tracks on home soil to solidify her place as an elite 100m sprinter. However, it looks like Richardson isn’t planning on returning to action right now. On the other hand, a long line of incredible speedsters will ensure Ohanian’s project begins its journey on a high note. From Harvard graduate Gabby Thomas to Neita’s national teammate Annie Tagoe, the Athlos NYC promises a lot of excitement to satiate the fans’ needs along with bringing more exposure to women’s track and field. Ohanian claims that the event will raise the industry standards when it comes to paying female stars for their performances, making Athlos a one-of-a-kind event. So who will your eyes follow come Thursday? Tell us your most anticipated star from the roster with a comment!