"First class flight, Calvin Klein" - Olympic gold medalist Shamier Little opens up 'princess treatment' at Alexis Ohanian's Athlos NYC
Shamier Little recently took part in the much talked about Athlos NYC meet held at Icahn Stadium in New York. Conceptualized by entrepreneur Alexis Ohanian, the inaugural meet had 36 participants from all over the world competing against each other in six events.
The Olympic gold medalist opened up about the reception at the Athlos NYC, and how it was way different than most other track and field meets. Little said (via FloTrack):
"It's princess treatment. We don't really, we don't really get that at all at any other meets. So, that has been nice getting the princess treatment since we touched down."
When asked about what kind of special treatment the athletes get, Little replied:
"Um, first class flights, rides from the airport. Black Car Pickup. We got a lot of goodies, Calvin Klein, and just like make-up, WYN. That's all."
Athlos NYC was Shamier Little's final event for the 2024 season. She had participated in the women's 400m event, where she stood fourth, with a timing of 51.28 seconds.
Olympic champion Marileidy Paulino won the race comfortably with a timing of 49.59 seconds, while Alexis Holmes of the USA and Salwa Eid Naser of Bahrain stood second and third, respectively.
Shamier Little's performances this season
While Shamier Little has been involved in track and field at the international level since 2014, it was only at the Paris Games that the 29-year-old got to make her Olympic debut. She was a part of the American team that made the new world record in the mixed 4x400m relay event. Team USA clocked 3:07.41 minutes to qualify for the finals in style.
The American team was all set for a historic gold medal until Femke Bol spoiled their plans. The Dutch sprinter, specializing in the 400m hurdles, ran furiously ahead of Kaylyn brown in the anchor leg, and won the race for the Netherlands, almost breaking the world record set only a day ago with a time of 3:07.43 minutes. Team USA had to settle for the silver medal.
However, Shamier Little wasn't done yet. She also participated in the women's 4x400m relay finals, alongside Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, Gabrielle 'Gabby' Thomas, and Alexis Holmes. Little opened the race for the USA, and gave the early lead, which the American sprinters maintained till the lead. Though they missed the world record by a whisker, the gold medal-winning timing of 3:15.27 seconds was still a new American record for this event.
Shamier Little qualified for the finals of the women's 400m hurdles event at the Diamond League Finals 2024, held in Brussels. Despite her best efforts, she could only finish fourth overall with a timing of 55.26 seconds.