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

Justin Gatlin Questions Alexis Ohanian’s Decision to Launch Track League

Retired American sprinter Justin Gatlin has expressed curiosity about why Alexis Ohanian, the husband of tennis legend Serena Williams, chose to invest in track and field by launching a new women’s track meet called Athlos NYC. Gatlin’s comments came during his Ready Set Go podcast, where he discussed the new track league with fellow retired sprinter Rodney Green.

 

Gatlin wondered why Ohanian, whose wife is a tennis icon, would choose to invest in track and field over other sports. “I would love to ask him what made you pick track and field because obviously Serena plays tennis,” Gatlin said. “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?”

 

Green, who was also a guest on the podcast, believed that Ohanian’s decision to launch the track league was his own, although he acknowledged that Serena Williams was likely supporting her husband’s venture. “I think she’s definitely supporting him, but I think it’s definitely him,” Green said. “He heard the idea of track and field, and I think he’s probably new to the track and field world.”

 

The Athlos NYC track meet, which was initially called the 776 Invitational, is scheduled to take place on September 26, 2024, at Icahn Stadium in New York. The event will feature a prize pool of $60,000 for the winner, $25,000 for the runner-up, and $10,000 for the third-place athlete. American sprint star Gabby Thomas is the first confirmed athlete for the inaugural edition of the track league.

 

Gatlin’s comments highlight the surprise that many in the track and field community have expressed about Ohanian’s decision to launch a track league, given his wife’s background in tennis. However, it is clear that Ohanian is passionate about promoting women’s sports and providing opportunities for female athletes to compete at the highest level.

 

In addition to the track league, Ohanian’s venture capital firm, Seven Seven Six, has also invested in other women’s sports initiatives. The firm has sponsored several women’s sports events and has partnered with organizations that promote women’s sports and empowerment.

 

The launch of Athlos NYC has generated significant buzz in the track and field community, with many athletes and fans expressing excitement about the new event. The inclusion of Megan Thee Stallion as the performer for the opening ceremony has added to the hype surrounding the event.

 

Gatlin, who won the 100m gold medal at the Athens Olympics, praised Megan Thee Stallion for her involvement in the event. “Megan’s having an amazing performance here,” he said. “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.”

 

Overall, the launch of Athlos NYC has generated significant interest and excitement in the track and field community, and it will be interesting to see how the event unfolds in the coming weeks.