"No one likes being second" - Serena Williams' husband Alexis Ohanian weighs in on Michael Johnson for being silent on the success of Athlos NYC

Serena Williams' husband, Alexis Ohanian, recently shared his thoughts on Michael Johnson's silence regarding the success of his brainchild Athlos NYC. The event's first edition was held on September 26, 2024, at the iconic Icahn Stadium in New York City.

The co-founder of Reddit Ohanian announced the Athlos NYC on April 23, 2024, alongside Gabby Thomas during the Business of Women's Sports Summit in New York City. The event featured 36 athletes competing in six events, including the 100m, 100m hurdles, 200m, 400m, 800m, and 1500m with staggering prize money.

Following Johnson's Grand Slam Track's new development, Ohanian expressed his views about the legendary athlete. The latest GST update requires Johnson's permission if they want to compete in other meets, including Ohanian’s Athlos NYC.

Fresh of the successful debut edition of Athlos NYC, Ohanian reflected when Johnson announced GST right after his Athlos NYC update and expressed his disappointment that the former Olympic champion did not acknowledge the most significant stride made by Athlos NYC.

"It's been so cool watching his first tweets about GST literally as I was coming off the stage after our @ATHLOS announcement at the Business of Women's Sports Summit," Ohanian wrote. "I don't blame him for not wanting to bring us up! No one likes being second."

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"Still a lot more to do" - Alexis Ohanian hints at bigger objectives for Athlos NYC's upcoming edition

Alexis Ohanian and his daughter Olympia Ohanian react during the Athlos NYC at Icahn Stadium in New York City. (Photo Getty Images)

After the successful debut of Alexis Ohanian's Athlos NYC, Reddit's co-founder has set his sights on making remarkable improvements. The inaugural edition of the Athlos NYC featured only track events for female athletes.

However, in a recent episode of the podcast Ready Set Go, Ohanian weighed on making significant advancements, hinting at adding field events by highlighting the Paris Olympics gold medalist Tara Davis-Woodhall.

“I feel like we’re on to something, but obviously still a lot more to do, and I can’t help but look at some of these stars like Tara and think, God, we got to find ways for… I don’t want to,” he shared. "But obviously, still a lot more to do… We’re in phase one… I’m already still thinking like how phase two goes, um, because, you know, I don’t ever want to half-a** anything.” (15:46 onwards)

The first edition of Athlos NYC awarded a whopping $60,000 cash prize and a Tiffany and Co. made crown worth $25,000.