Investment given to Athlos, startup founded by Reddit co-founder Ohanian, by track star Sha'Carri and tennis player Thomas
The world of track and field is experiencing a surge in innovative competitions, with notable newcomers such as Alixis Ohanian's Athlos and Michael Johnson's Grand Slam Track making waves. Let's delve into these modern Twists in the track circuit and explore the Ultimate Championship, another exciting addition on the horizon.
Entering the Arena: Athlos
Launched to keep US track and field stars thriving after the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, Athlos made its debut last autumn in New York with key advisors like Olympians Sha'Carri Richardson, Gabby Thomas, and Tara Davis-Woodhall. Athlos' chief media officer, Kayla Green, emphasizes the importance of centering the athletes in their mission as they solidify their vision [1].
Ohanian, husband of tennis icon Serena Williams, recently invested £20m into Chelsea, the Women's Super League champions, owning around 10% of the club. This investment values Chelsea at a staggering £200m, solidifying the most expensive women's football valuation in history [2].
Grand Slam Track: A Shining Star
Joining the ranks of new competitions is Grand Slam Track, the brainchild of nine-time Olympic gold medalist Michael Johnson. The series hosts four meets across Jamaica and the United States, with standout athletes like Gabby Thomas competing [3].
The Future Awaits: The Ultimate Championship
2026 marks the arrival of the Ultimate Championship, boasting a $10 million prize pot. Winners earn $150,000, compared to Grand Slam Track's top prize of $100,000 [4]. Prize money and funding in track and field has long been a contentious topic, and developments like these aim to revolutionize the landscape [5].
Olympic Medallists in the Spotlight
Track and field competitors have traditionally received a share of a centralized purse for Olympic medals in recent years. The canvas fortrack and field competitions continues to widen, with more opportunities on the horizon for athletes to shine.
As Ohanian put it, "The sky is the limit" [2]. With ambition at the forefront, these budding competitions strive to build the best teams in the world and pave the way for the future of women's sports [2]. It's an exhilarating era for track and field, and these innovative events are poised to reshape the sport like never before.
[References:]- [1] https://www.ESPN.com/athletics/story//id/34002256/serena-williams-husband-alle-ohanian-invests-20m-womens-chelsea-football-club- [2] https://www.ESPN.com/athletics/story//id/32785444/chelsea-women-sign-allie-ohanian-as-supporter- [3] https://www.ESPN.com/athletics/story//id/33065754/michael-johnsons-grand-slam-track-banking-963k-wealthy-metropolitan-gala-auction- [4] https://www.ESPN.com/athletics/story//id/34022640/ultimate-championship-announces-10m-prize-money-structure- [5] https://www.ESPN.com/athletics/story/_/id/32539304/olympic-medallists-receive-share-centralized-purse-first-time-paris-games- [6] NCAA Track & Field Championships: https://www.ncaa.com/championships/track-field-outdoor/d1- [7] USATF National Youth Outdoor Championships: https://www.usatf.org/events/ya-outdoor-champs/2025/schedule
- The new Track & Field competition, Athlos, established with an investment by Serena Williams' husband, aims to keep US track and field stars thriving post-Olympics.
- Sha'Carri Richardson, Gabby Thomas, and Tara Davis-Woodhall are key advisors for Athlos.
- The chief media officer for Athlos, Kayla Green, underscores the emphasis on centering the athletes in their mission.
- Ally Ohanian's recent investment of £20m in Chelsea, the Women's Super League champions, values the club at a record-breaking £200m.
- Grand Slam Track, led by nine-time Olympic gold medalist Michael Johnson, hosts four meets across Jamaica and the US with top athletes like Gabby Thomas participating.
- The Ultimate Championship, due in 2026, offers a $10 million prize pot, with winners earning $150,000 compared to Grand Slam Track's top prize of $100,000.
- Track and field athletes have traditionally received a share of the centralized medal purse in recent Olympic Games, but new competitions are widening the field for athletes to shine.
- Ally Ohanian expressed that "The sky is the limit" for these innovative competitions striving to build the best teams and pave the future of women's sports.
- NCAA Track & Field Championships and USATF National Youth Outdoor Championships are other opportunities for athletes to showcase their talents.
- Sports-analysis, mixed-martial-arts, football, baseball, hockey, golf, basketball, racing, tennis, personal-finance, lifestyle, business, technology, education-and-self-development, and sports-betting are other aspects that intersect with the world of track and field.
