"It's just very Black" - Shamier Little on what felt different at Serena Williams' husband Alexis Ohanian's Athlos NYC

American sprinter and hurdler Shamier Little recently shared her thoughts about the Athlos NYC’s inaugural edition. Little featured in the 400m at the women’s exclusive track meet, launched by Serena Williams’ husband and entrepreneur Alexis Ohanian.

After announcing the event’s official launch in April 2024, Ohanian disclosed that the meet would offer more prize money to its athletes than regular track meets. The winner’s purse was revealed as $60,000 in each of the six disciplines, with the second and third-placed competitors receiving $25,000 and $10,000 respectively. The prize for the athletes from fourth to sixth places was set at $8,000, $5,000, and $2,500 respectively.

Three months later in July, the meet organizer announced Megan Thee Stallion as the musical performer for the event. DJ Derrick 'D'Nice' Jones also joined the team to play a unique walk-out song for each athlete.

On Thursday, September 26, the meet had a grand inauguration with multicolored lights all around the Icahn Stadium, loud cheers from enthusiastic fans, music by DJ D-Nice, and a spectacular performance by Stallion, alongside intense neck-and-neck battles in the six track disciplines.

After finishing fourth in the 400m at the Athlos NYC, Shamier Little shared her thoughts on the meet as she praised Athlos NYC's cultural vibe and atmosphere that set it apart from regular track events. She said via X (formerly Twitter):

“Someone asked me how Athlos differed from other meets being put on and, tbh it’s just very… Black. Very turnt. Very vibey. Very cultured. Very exciting”

Little finished fourth at the Athlos NYC after clocking a time of 51.28s to take home $8,000. She came behind Paris Olympics gold medalist Marileidy Paulino (49.59s), compatriot Alexis Holmes (49.99s), and Olympic silver medal-winner Salwa Eid Naser (50.40s).

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A look into Shamier Little’s 2024 season beyond the Athlos NYC

Shamier Little, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, Gabrielle Thomas and Alexis Holmes celebrate winning the Gold medal at Paris Olympics (Photo by Andy Cheung/Getty Images)

Shamier Little qualified for the 2024 Paris Olympics after finishing fourth in the 400m hurdles at the US Olympic Track and Field Trials. She was also a finalist in the 400m dash at the Trials, held at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon.

Little then played an instrumental role in the USA’s medal-winning performances in the women’s 4x400m relay and mixed 4x400m relay events at the Paris Olympics. In the women’s 4x400m relay, she ran the first leg to contribute to the US team's gold medal win.

Little also competed in the second leg of the mixed 4x400m relay race at the Games, where the USA won silver.