Alexis Ohanian announed the Athlos NYC in April alongside Gabby Thomas. (Source- Getty)

"These track stars are about to be global icons"- Serena Williams' husband Alexis Ohanian teases Athlos NYC after Paris Olympics brings in 30M viewers

Modified Sep 20, 2024 04:32 GMT

Following the electrifying Paris Olympics, Serena Williams' husband Alexis Ohanian playfully challenged the Games, hinting the Athlos NYC's potential to help track stars emerge as global icons. The Athlos NYC is slated for September 26, 2024, at the Icahn Stadium with the Paris Olympics gold medalist Gabby Thomas headlining the fierce lineup in the 200m race.

The 2024 Paris Olympics reached around 300 million people over the Olympic website and app, making it the highest for any Olympic Games edition. Initially named the 776 Invitational, the Athlos NYC was unveiled by Ohanian alongside Thomas in April during the Business of Women's Sports Conference in New York City.

With a lucrative prize money, the female-only track event is expected to draw a considerable audience from the athletics community. The Reddit founder recently took to X, anticipating Athlos NYC to harness and build on incredible momentum in the wake of the Paris Olympics.

"The Paris Olympics brought 30M+ eyeballs to athletes competing for the gold," he wrote. "When @athlos comes to NYC next week, we'll capture & build on that incredible momentum."

He added:

"These track stars are about to be global icons."

Expand Tweet

"I've personally loved seeing so many folks start investing into the sport" - Alexis Ohanian rejects Diamond League as a competitor to Athlos NYC following the rise in the former's prize money

Alexis Ohanian reacts as Diamond League increases its prize money. (Source: Getty)

Despite the recent increase in prize money in the Diamond League Series, Alexis Ohanian rejected viewing the year-long series as a competitor to Athlos NYC.

The Diamond League series increased the prize money to the highest level for the 2025 season ever since its launch in 2010. The Diamond League will offer $9.24 million in prize money with the prize money for each discipline ranging from $30,000 and $50,000 during the series meetings and between $60,000 and $100,000 at the Final.

Following the announcement, Ohanian dismissed the Diamond League as a competitor, noting it as a positive addition to the sport.

"We @athlos don't see Diamond League as competition — it's complementary — and I've personally loved seeing so many folks start investing into the sport since our announcement back in April."

With $110,500 prize money per race, the winner in any event at the Athlos NYC will receive $60,000. The Athlos NYC will feature six ultimate races, including the 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, 1500m and 100m hurdles.