The Reddit founder Alexis Ohanian has not lost his tab on track and field sports. After his announcement of the track and field competition 776 Invitational, which is his brainchild, the entrepreneur has been busy collecting names for the upcoming contest and thinking about the ultimate form of the events that are set to take the ground in September this year. Meanwhile, the World Athletics has announced a larger event with a bigger purse (around $10 million). 

No one knows if the Sebastian Coe-led organization has taken motivation from Alexis Ohanian’s step toward infusing money in track and field. Yet, the Reddit CEO has welcomed the monumental step taken by World Athletics to make things better. But what is the commitment made by World Athletics? How will it pan out?

Is World Athletics seeing the better picture? 

In the past, sprinters like Tara Davis-Woodhall had criticized the World Athletics for its shortcomings in investing more money in the sport or sponsoring athletes directly. However, Alexis Ohanian’s proposal of providing big prize money through the 776 Invitational is yet to come. But lately, World Athletics has tried to make things easier for the athletes’ pocket by announcing a new contest, the World Athletics Ultimate Championship, scheduled in 2026. Serena Williams’ husband re-tweeted the news on X with the caption, “[emoji] love this. We haven’t even had our first 776invitational.com yet”.

Alexis Ohanian tried to project the announcement as the initial success of his proposed Invitational meet as it has melted the World Athletics to pay heed to the athletes’ demand. However, the groundbreaking announcement demonstrates that the World Athletics Ultimate Championship has a higher cash prize compared to Ohanian’s league. As per the announcements, the WA proposed contest will provide $150,000 to the gold medalists. In the 776 Invitational, the prize money for the top spot is set at $60,000. 

Nonetheless, in both contests, the prize money is way ahead of the current highest scale of $30,000 for the track and field athletes. With the prize money, the WA also avails the promotional rights for the athletes, giving them another opportunity to earn big commercially. The announcement is set to give a relief better than the prize value WA announced for the Paris Olympic gold medalists a few months ago. 

In 2025, another track and field league is set to roll as former Olympic champion Michael Johnson has announced the event. That event, as well, will appear with a large purse consisting of more than $30 million in investment. In such a situation, Alexis Ohanian may have reasons to call himself the harbinger to show the path of implementing contests with large numbers. But his approach might give a hands-on idea of the formal look of such unforeseen leagues. So what is brewing in his mind? 

Alexis Ohanian faces a stumble in the beginning 

Alexis Ohanian- proposed 776 Invitational forms an exceptional hue being the first women-only track and field contest. However, after its announcement in April, the meet experienced a hiccup when the British athlete Annie Tagoe informed about her chronic tendinitis a few days ago. 

The Budapest World Athletics championships medalist is still reeling under the situation and has put a question mark on her appearance in September in the 776 Invitational. Incidentally, the sprinter had been hailed for committing to the proposed meet and Alexis Ohanian visited her several times. However, after her injury news has come to the fore, the Reddit founder has wished her good health. Apart from her, Sha’Carri Richardson could be a special face moving to the entry list for the 776 Invitational. 

Nothing concrete is yet to come on that front. Alexis Ohanian has repeatedly informed about his fandom for the world 100m champion sprinter. But would that be enough to turn in SCR to the event? That will be a question of the hour. Apart from her, Gabby Thomas could be a stunner at the 776 Invitational. The American sprinter had already shown up in the announcement ceremony. Now, her entry could be expected as well. However, except for these names, nothing has come out yet. After WA’s announcement, will the 776 Invitational meet lose ground or be able to lure more names into the fold? What do you think?