3 biggest upsets at Alexis Ohanian's Athlos NYC ft Gabby Thomas

The first season of Athlos NYC track meet was completed at the Icahn Stadium in New York City recently. Over 30 athletes from all over the world participated in six events.

Conceptualized by co-founder of Reddit, Alexis Ohanian, Athlos is a one of its kind female-only track meet. The first season included events like the 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, 1500m and the 100m hurdles.

The winner will take home a grand prize money of $60,000 for each event, while the runner up will get $25,000, and the second runner up would receive an amount of $15,000. Even the participant who finished last will be at least $2,500.

Athletes like Marileidy Paulino and Faith Kipyegon [Olympic champions in women's 400m and 1500m respectively] maintained their dominance by winning their respective events.

However, there were some instances where fancied athletes were defeated. On that note, let us take a look at the three biggest upsets from the Athlos NYC 2024.

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3 biggest upsets from the Athlos NYC ft Gabby Thomas

#3) Marie-Josee Ta Lou-Smith

Marie-Josee Ta Lou-Smith of Ivory Coast celebrating her victory at the Athlos NYC meet [Image Source: Getty]

The 35-year-old sprinter from Ivory Coast stunned everyone with her performance in the 100m event at the Athlos NYC. Having finished third at the Wanda Diamond League finals held at Brussels, the sprinter had almost nothing to lose at the inaugural Athlos NYC meet.

However, as soon as the race began, Marie-Josee Ta Lou Smith was ahead. While Brittany Brown of the USA tried to catch up, she couldn't. The Ivory Coast sprinter eventually surprised one and all to win the race with a timing of 10.98 seconds. Despite finishing second, Brittany Brown clocked a seasonal best of 11.05 seconds.

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#2) Masai Russell

Jasmine-Camacho Quinn after winning the 100m hurdles event at Athlos NYC [Image Source: Getty]

Following her surprise victory at the Paris Olympics, Masai Russell was expected to give it her all at the 100m hurdles event.

However, she was least expecting an upset from the former Olympic champion Jasmine Camacho-Quinn of Puerto Rico, who was forced to settle for the bronze medal at the Paris Olympics.

In the 100m hurdles finals, Jasmine Camacho-Quinn took an early lead and maintained it until the finish line. Despite her best efforts, Masai Russell could only manage to finish third overall, as the hurdler from Puerto Rico clocked 12.36 seconds to win the top prize in the 100m hurdles event.

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#1) Gabby Thomas

Brittany Brown of the USA reaching the finish line ahead of Gabby Thomas at Athlos NYC [Image Source : Getty]

The biggest upset at the Athlos NYC has to be hands down the 200m event. Gabby Thomas, who had won the Olympic gold medal, was expected to nail it in this event.

Brittany Brown, however, had other ideas. The Olympic bronze medalist had recently won the 200m event at the Wanda Diamond League 2024 finals held in Brussels.

As soon as the race began, Gabby Thomas attempted to take an early lead. However, she received stiff competition from Brittany Brown, who ran neck and neck almost till the finish line. In the last 50 meters, the American sprinter surged ahead of her teammate Gabby Thomas to win the race with a timing of 22.18 seconds.