"Obviously Serena Williams plays tennis"- Justin Gatlin questions Alexis Ohanian's decision to start his own track league

By Abhiruchi Rout

Modified Sep 13, 2024 09:00 GMT

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Retired American sprinter Justin Gatlin recently showed his curiosity about why Serena Williams' husband Alexis Ohanian particularly chose to invest in track and field. Earlier in April 2024, Ohanian announced the launch of an exclusive track meet for women athletes.

During the Business of Women’s Sports Conference in New York City, Ohanian revealed that his venture capital firm, Seven Seven Six, will be sponsoring a new track meet for female athletes, called the 776 Invitational. American sprint star Gabby Thomas, who was present at the occasion, was confirmed as the first athlete for the inaugural edition of the track league.

Later in July, the 776 Invitational was renamed Athlos NYC. The event is set to begin on 26 September 2024, at Icahn Stadium in NY. The league is offering the biggest prize pool ever for a women-only event, with $60,000 awarded to the winner, $25,000 to the runner-up, and $10,000 to the third-place athlete. Athletes placed from fourth to sixth place will also receive prize money.

Recently, on his Ready Set Go podcast, Justin Gatlin asked Rodney Green about his opinion on the Athlos NYC event, launched by Serena Williams' husband. The Bahamian retired sprinter stated that he believes the retired tennis icon is supporting the league launch, but thinks it was Alexis Ohanian's idea. He said:

“I think she's [Serena Williams] definitely supporting him but I think it's definitely him. He heard the idea of track and field and I think he's probably new to the track and field world. I definitely think it's him."

"You know what I mean but his wife definitely supporting him because she definitely is a women's activist but I think she's definitely like yes baby I think this is something that you should do. I think she's heavily in support of her husband doing this,” Green added.

Following the response by Green, Gatlin seemed curious about Alexis Ohanian's decision for his investment in track and field over other sports. He mentioned:

“I would love to ask him what made you pick track and field because obviously Serena plays tennis. He has so many other opportunities to be able to pick other sports that get highlighted over track and field. What was his connection with track and field to even think about putting this meet on?”

"She doing it all": Justin Gatlin on Megan Thee Stallion performing at the opening ceremony of Athlos NYC

Justin Gatlin at IAAF World Athletics Championships at the Khalifa Stadium 2019 (Photo by Ulrik Pedersen/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

During the same episode, Rodney Green informed Justin Gatlin about Megan Thee Stallion performing at the opening ceremony of the Athlos NYC at the Icahn Stadium. The 100m Athens Olympics gold medalist reacted to this, stating:

“Megan's having an amazing performance here. She out there performing for Kamala Harris and she out there at Icon Stadium performing for all women's track meet she doing it all. Bro, she doing it all.”

Notably, the American rapper and singer has also been a strong supporter of Kamala Harris, the Democratic presidential nominee for the US presidential election.