"He didn't know a thing about track, now he's using track lingo" - Gabby Thomas on how Serena Williams' husband Alexis Ohanian is building Athlos NYC

Gabby Thomas commended Serena Williams' husband Alexis Ohanian for showing sincerity in organizing the women-only track event, Athlos, as the Reddit co-founder apparently didn't know anything about the track previously. Thomas will compete at Athlos for the first time since winning the 200m, 4x100m relay, and 4x400m relay gold medals at the 2024 Summer Games.

Earlier this year, Gabby Thomas joined hands with tech mogul Alexis Ohanian, announcing the 776 Invitational, a women-only track event with a larger prize purse than Diamond League, challenging the convention of current-day track events.

The five-time Olympic medalist will join the likes of Faith Kipyegon, Gudaf Tsegay, Marileidy Paulino, and Masai Russell, among others, and the women will feature in the 100, 200m, 100m hurdles, 400m, 800m and 1500m.

Before the event kicked off on September 26, 2024, Gabby Thomas shared how the organizer, Alexis Ohanian, didn't know a thing about the track but cared enough to listen and learn from the Olympian and make Athlos happen.

"I mean, Alexis called me before. This was even a possibility of thought. You know, we didn't even know where the location was going to be, who was going to be running, what events were going to be running. And he just, he really cared. And what's really cool about him is he just sat down and listened, right?" she said to FloTrack.

She added:

"He didn't know a thing about track. And now he's using track lingo, but he's talking about, you know, foot support in the races, which I really appreciate."

Athlos will take place at Icahn Stadium in New York City, scheduled for 7 pm E.T.

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"This is bigger than myself and it’s bigger than this race" - Gabby Thomas

Gabby Thoams on the 4x100m relay gold podium at the Olympic Games Paris 2024 - Athletics - Source: Getty

Gabby Thomas has always been vocal about the marketability and visibility of track and field in the US, especially the advancement of women's track. She talked about partnering with 776 Invitational to offer a platform for women athletes to build enduring careers and inspire the up-and-coming generations.

In a recent conversation, she shared that the goal of the event was bigger than the event itself.

"This is bigger than myself and it’s bigger than this race. It’s bigger than just the six of us lining up. It’s really about what we’re doing for women’s sports. What this event particularly means for women's sports and track and field." (via CITIUS Mag)

World Athletics recently accredited Athlos with a Silver Status and included it in the World Athletics Continental tour. The event, ready to host Megan Thee Stallion as the guest performer, will award $60,000 to the winners, and silver and bronze finishers will get $20,000 and $10,000, respectively.