Alexis Ohanian and sprint star Noah Lyles are leading a new wave of optimism and innovation in track and field, with the Athlos League set to revolutionize the sport's popularity and reach.
Last month, Noah Lyles made waves with a candid interview in which he declared, “Track doesn’t need saving, it needs help.”
The Olympic champion emphasized that track and field, despite being categorized as an Olympic amateur sport, thrives with consistent meets even outside the Olympic cycle.
Lyles' remarks were not a complaint but a call to action. And interestingly, seated beside him during that very interview was tech visionary Alexis Ohanian, the Reddit co-founder who's rapidly becoming one of track and field’s most vocal and committed advocates.
The Future of Track and Field
)
Fast forward to July 6, just after the Eugene meet concluded with record breaking performances from the likes of Faith Kipyegon and Beatrice Chebet, the former who also played a part in the inaugural Athlos meet founded by Serena Williams husband Ohanian.
The breathtaking moment reignited the common sentiment among fans of why is track not one of the most popular sport in the world?
That’s when Alexis Ohanian confidently replied on X (formerly Twitter), “It will be one of the most popular.”
Athlos League: A Vision Turning Into Reality
In 2024, Ohanian launched the Athlos League, a women-focused track event that handed out a remarkable $663,000 in prize money. This year, he has promised even more.
Linked directly under the viral tweet about track’s untapped popularity, Ohanian dropped the link to Athlos NYC, scheduled for October 10.
With track icons like Sha’Carri Richardson, Gabby Thomas, and Tara Davis-Woodhall signed on, Ohanian’s movement is backed not just by funds, but by the fiercest names in the sport.
Praise for Lyles, Trust in Track’s Trajectory
Ohanian’s admiration for Noah Lyles was clear in a recent video clip, where he stated, “Noah, you are the superstar of men’s track and field.”
But he also pointed out that the women in the sport are already performing at an elite level with minimal infrastructure and support, punching “far above their weight.”
He went on to applaud the success of Athlos, attributing it to the early involvement of stars like Sha’Carri, Gabby, and Tara.
“They’re the reason why we’ve had the success that we’ve had early on,” he said, noting that the future of track is bright if it gets the investment and innovation it deserves.
Between Lyles’ push for attention to the sport’s structure and Ohanian’s growing financial and strategic involvement, there is a movement forming.
-1751257580-q80.webp "Ex-Bengals WR Open To Joining AFC North Rival This Offseason")
