A unique women’s long jump competition will take center stage in the heart of Times Square this week, kicking off a two-day event designed to bring new energy and attention to track and field. The competition is part of Athlos, a women-only series aiming to elevate the sport’s profile.
The showcase begins Thursday with a long jump event featuring reigning world and Olympic champion Tara Davis-Woodhall in one of New York’s most iconic tourist destinations.
“I’ve been coming to New York since I was 16 years old and the first time I ever stepped in Times Square, I was like, ‘I want my face on the billboards,’” Davis-Woodhall said. “To have a full-circle moment of when I was just a kid dreaming of this moment, it’s pretty surreal and kind of emotional.”
On Friday, the action moves to Icahn Stadium on Randall’s Island for a full track meet. The program will include the 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, mile, 100m hurdles, and the long jump final. The field features several 2024 Olympic champions, including Faith Kipyegon (1,500m), Marileidy Paulino (400m), and Keely Hodgkinson (800m), as well as top hurdler Masai Russell.
Athletes will compete for a total prize purse exceeding $773,000, with first-place winners earning $60,000 and all victors receiving a silver crown from Tiffany & Co. A $250,000 bonus is on offer for any world record broken, and Athlos awards 10% of its revenue directly to the athletes.
This is the second year for the Athlos NYC meet, founded by Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian. He explained the goal is to present the sport with higher entertainment value while maintaining its legitimacy.
“We wanted to create something that can elevate the biggest stars of the sport in a format that’s just as professional and real and legit, but also brings a different kind of entertainment value,” Ohanian said.
The event will feature a live DJ, storytelling segments, and a post-competition performance by singer Ciara. A tribute to retiring Jamaican sprinter Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce is also planned, with fellow stars Sha’Carri Richardson and Gabby Thomas expected to be in attendance.
Ohanian’s initiative arrives as other ventures, such as Michael Johnson’s Grand Slam Track league, have faced challenges. Ohanian emphasized that Athlos aims to complement the existing track and field landscape.
“We went into starting Athlos knowing that this was a wide-open space,” he said. “It meant we have an opportunity to build alongside the existing institution. I have so much optimism, so much confidence, in what we’re building.”
Athlos plans to expand to a team-based format next season, with ambitions for national or global events by the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
“There’s no finish line in this race,” Ohanian stated. “It’s just relentless improvement and execution.”
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