The women’s-only track start-up Athlos is gaining traction in its second year in New York, adding new sponsors, expanding its programme with a field event, and laying the groundwork for a multi-meet calendar in 2026.
The concept, which is the brainchild of Reddit founder and women's sports entrepreneur Alexis Ohanian, appears to be going from strength to strength.
"We had probably 3x, probably 4x revenue this year, as a result of the fact that we were able to declare victory with that first event," said Ohanian, who said 3 million tuned in for the inaugural 2024 meet.
He retained existing sponsors Toyota and Tiffany & Co, while adding new brands, including mobile payment platform Cash App, to provide athletes with prize money "literally when the score is logged".
The remark raised eyebrows at the Manhattan press conference on Thursday, especially since the fortunes of another track start-up have nosedived in recent months.
The Michael Johnson-fronted Grand Slam Track cut its inaugural season short this year and owed its athletes millions in prize money months after the final meet, amid financial woes.
Asked about their mismatched fortunes, Ohanian struck a diplomatic tone: "The reason this league is going to be successful is because of the athletes. And once you understand that, you build from that.
"You can't go too wrong if you're prioritising the athletes, and I never lose sight of that," said Ohanian.
At this year's event, USA’s Brittany Brown won the sprint double at the Athlos NYC meeting at the Icahn Stadium in New York City on Friday (10) on an evening when some of the leading women in the sport took centre stage.
The Olympic bronze medallist won a close 100m contest in 10.99 (1.4m/s) from US compatriot Jacious Sears (11.01). An hour later, Brown produced a convincing victory in the 200m with a PB of 21.89 (1.9m/s) ahead of Anavia Battle (22.21).
World and Olympic champion Tara Davis-Woodhall was another standout performer, sailing out to 7.13m to win the long jump. Double Olympic medallist Jasmine Moore was second with 6.64m.
For Olympic champion Keely Hodgkinson, the 800m was a chance of redemption after the Briton was beaten into bronze at last month’s World Championships. She won by almost two seconds in a meeting record of 1:56.53 ahead of compatriot Georgia Hunter Bell, the world silver medallist, who clocked 1:58.33.
Middle-distance legend Faith Kipyegon took on Ethiopia’s Gudaf Tsegay in the mile. Tsegay went out hard and covered the first lap in 1:00.52 before settling down into a steadier pace. Kipyegon broke away in the second half, though, and went on to win in 4:17.78. Tsegay was second in 4:19.75.
Elsewhere, Olympic champion Marileidy Paulino beat Salwa Eid Naser in the 400m, 50.07 to 50.94, and Olympic champion Masai Russell took the 100m hurdles in a wind-assisted 12.52 (2.3m/s).