Gabby Thomas faced an unexpected challenge at Athlos NYC, a groundbreaking women-only track event. Despite her experience in high-pressure situations, she admitted that this event was one of the toughest she had ever faced. After her success at the Paris Olympics, returning to compete without much rest had taken a toll on her. This was evident when she was narrowly defeated by fellow American Brittany Brown in the 200m, marking a rare setback for Thomas.
Despite the defeat, Gabby spoke highly of her partnership with Alexis Ohanian, co-creator of Athlos NYC. Together, they worked to design the event, a venture that Gabby described as groundbreaking for women in sports. Ohanian, known for his venture into women’s soccer through Angel City FC, had little prior knowledge of track and field, but Gabby appreciated his efforts to immerse himself in the sport.
Thomas acknowledged that she had to focus on her Olympic preparations during the planning stages, leaving much of the responsibility to Ohanian. Nonetheless, she praised his dedication, especially regarding the financial framework of Athlos NYC, which guarantees every athlete a prize, with the top prize being $60,000—significantly more than what’s typically offered in events like the Diamond League.
Ohanian’s goal with Athlos NYC was not just to offer more prize money but to draw media attention to women’s athletics, something Gabby appreciated and fully supported. His vision, she said, was to professionalize the sport further and create opportunities for athletes who don’t always receive adequate financial backing.
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