"I'm pulling up with my wig on" - Paris Olympics gold medalist Vernon Norwood expresses desire to compete in Alexis Ohanian's Athlos NYC

Following the successful debut of Alexis Ohanian's Athlos NYC, Paris Olympics gold medalist Vernon Norwood voiced his eagerness to compete in the next edition. The Athlos NYC was held on Thursday, 26 September 2024, at Icahn Stadium in New York City.

Norwood enjoyed a victorious campaign at the Paris Games, securing gold medals in men's 4x400m relay and 4x400m mixed relay. The debut edition of Reddit co-founder's brainchild offered staggering prize money of $60,000 to the winners of each event.

All the six competitors in each event were awarded the prize money with the second-place finisher earning $25,000 and the following athletes earning $10,000, $8,000, $5000, and $2,500, respectively. Moreover, the champion of each event received a a silver crown, designed and manufactured by American luxury jewelry brand, Tiffany and Co., worth $25,000.

The inaugural edition featured six events, including 100m, 200m, 100m hurdles, 400m, 800m, and 1500m. All 36 athletes were valued, acknowledged, and received premium facilities, including first-class travel and accommodation. With its unparalleled luxury facilities, the female-only track event, which received the silver status recognition from World Athletics, emerged as a groundbreaking milestone in athletic history.

Inspired by the event, Norwood humorously declared his desire to compete in the next edition, joking that we would don a wig to fit in and compete.

"Next year I’m pulling up with my Wig on. I need a lane," Norwood wrote.

Brittany Brown stuns Paris Olympics gold medalist Gabby Thomas by collecting a whopping prize money at the debut edition of Alexis Ohanian's Athlos NYC

Brittany Brown of the United States celebrates after winning the 200m during Athlos NYC at Icahn Stadium in New York City. (Photo Getty Images)

Brittany Brown enjoyed a fruitful run at the first edition of the Athlos NYC, held at the Icahn Stadium.

She defeated the 200m Paris Olympics gold medalist Gabby Thomas in the same event by posting a stunning time of 22.18 seconds to surpass fellow American sprinters. Thomas recorded 22.21 seconds to settle in second place and was followed by Anavia Battle, who listed 22.34 seconds.

With the victories, Brown and Thomas grabbed $60,000 and $25,000, respectively. Moreover, Brown also secured second place in the 100m event. She followed Marie-Josee Ta Lou-Smith to earn the win. While Ta Lou-Smith clocked 10.98 seconds, Brown posted 11.05 seconds, earning an additional $25,000 to her prize money. She also received the Tiffany and Co.-made silver crown.

The female-only track event celebrated women and Grammy award-winning rapper Megan Thee Stallion concluded the event with her electric performance.