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Does Alexis Ohanian's massive check for women's track and field signal a turning point for gender equality in sports?

There is no stopping Serena Williams’ husband, Alexis Ohanian, once he sets his mind on getting a thing done. And since his courtship period, and later marriage with the tennis legend, the Reddit cofounder has turned into sports fanatic and supporter. He owns Angel City FC, has invested in Golf, and is now moving towards Track and Field! The Angel investor is bringing ‘Athlos’, in a better and grand way! This is not just about the monetary rewards for the winners. This is bigger than ever, and Williams couldn’t be more proud of her husband!

After his outing at the Paris Olympics, the Business Dad enjoyed various sports while fulfilling his dad’s duties. Ohanian is back in work mode, with his latest venture to support women’s Track and Field, Athlos, one-of-a-kind female only initiative, another step in the right direction to support women athletes. But what is Ohanian’s Athlos offering to the winner, that has the Track and Field community in rush to reach New York City?

The best of the best are confirmed to participate in the event. This includes the 3 time Olympic Gold- medalist, Gabby Thomas, multiple Olympics medalist, Faith Kipyegon, and the world champion, Alexis Holmes. Moreover, what is the monetary reward for Olympic medalist players? It’s $38,000 for the Gold, but for the winner at Athlos, it’s $60,000. The biggest check ever! This is not all, as instead of medals, the winners would be awarded Tiffany crowns! What best way to celebrate the best of the best? Dancing on the beats of Megan thee stallion and DJ D-Nice.

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As he rightly pointed out once, ‘Why wait for 4 years to celebrate the best at the Olympics?’ Moved by her husband’s dedication towards bettering the sporting arena, Williams took to X as she confidently applauded the Athlos. She re-posted the CBS interview with Ohanian with the following caption:

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Ohanian is making sure that he leaves no stone unturned in making Athlos the grandest stage ever for the Track and Field event. It might be right to say that another contest for the crown awaits at the New York City! Moreover, the Athlos NYC seems to be the test for the women in track to capture the glory at home!

Could Williams’ husband’s Athlos initiative cause the much needed boom in Track and Field?

What’s your perspective on:

Does Alexis Ohanian's massive check for women's track and field signal a turning point for gender equality in sports?

Have an interesting take?

If Ohanian is sure about one thing in sports, despite the uncertain nature, is to bet on women’s sports. He made the Angel City FC big, with the $250 mn glory as Willow Bay and Bob Iger joined the Angel investor in his quest to make women’s sports stand on the same pedestal that their male counterparts stand upon. And he is not moving but running in the right direction, as his next stop took him on the track. A hard-to-follow sport, where races end in seconds, if not minutes, unlike team sports where it could go on for hours with people on the edge of their seats.

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While NBA and Soccer command the glory, that may not be possible for other sports, Ohanian seems to be pushing the boundaries, first with Soccer and now with Track and Field. He tries to draw the attention of while United States to the epicenter, New York City. If Americans are unable to visit Paris to support their athletes, he is bringing a mini Olympics to America. But this would be a litmus test for Track and Field and Ohanian.

The American track and field needs investment and attention to boom like other sports. “I really believe people will be saying this about the track in three years, four years. That’s why I’m investing in such a big way today.”- remarked Ohanian on making track and field big. If Ohanian’s words were to be believed, the man would move mountains with his strong conviction.