Serena Williams' husband Alexis Ohanian reacts to Alaysha Johnson's feature in Athlos' collaborative campaign with California-based brand

Serena Williams' husband Alexis Ohanian was in awe of Alaysha Johnson featuring in a collaborative project of Athlos and Ryoko Rain. Johnson was part of the inaugural edition of Ohanian-hosted Athlos NYC in September 2024.

Alaysha Johnson, the 2013 Gatorade Track and Field Girls Athlete of the Year, graced the 100m hurdles line-up at the 2024 US Olympic trials. Finishing second, she secured a spot on the Paris Olympic roster. In the finals, she finished seventh overall while fellow US hurdler Masai Russell soared to victory in 12.33s.

Despite her Olympic setback, Johnson bounced back at the Athlos NYC, competing in the 100m hurdles. This women's-only track event, boasting the largest prize purse, saw Johnson beat Russell, finishing second behind Jasmine Camacho-Quinn.

Johnson secured a spot in the collaborative campaign between Athlos and Ryoko Rain. Dressed in a white t-shirt and blue shorts, Johnson complemented her look with black curls, as seen in the pictures.

Alexis Ohanian, the brain behind Athlos, shared the post in his Instagram story and appreciated Johnson. Here's what he wrote alongside:

"Immaculate vibes @imjustlaylay @athlos @ryokorain collab!"

Alexis Ohanian in awe of Alaysha Johnson; Instagram - @alexisohanian

Ohanian and Johnson had a brief exchange during the 2024 Games after the University of Oregon alum advanced to the 100-meter hurdles finals.

Hoping to have her eight family members watch her in action, Johnson reached out to her followers on X to sponsor their trip to the Paris Olympics because of the high ticket prices. She wrote:

"If anybody wants to buy me 8 tickets so my family can watch me run then I’d love yall but know they going for $500 a piece." (August 9, 2024)

Ohanian extended support to Johnson with a kind gesture, offering to pay for the trip through Athlos.

"got you. @athlos account will handle"

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Alaysha Johnson once made her feelings known for Serena Williams' husband Alexis Ohanian's Athlos NYC

In Picture: Alaysha Johnson reacts at the Olympic Games-Paris 2024 - (Source: Getty)

In an interview last year, Alaysha Johnson explained her decision to join the women-only Athlos NYC, which offered a $500,000 prize pool with the winners taking home $60,000.

"Honestly, this event has been very hands-on, very exclusive. From the jump when they reach out to me, I was like 'yes, absolutely'. I didn't have to think about it twice," she said. (Via Forbes)

"I always want to be on the edge of innovation that's why I signed my deal. I think anybody who wants to come in and change the sport, please call me up. I want to be there. Athlos is doing an amazing job at redefining what a track meet means in the United States, she added. (Via Forbes)

Speaking about track and field being ignorant about the financial safety of the athletes, the 28-year-old compared the sport with the NFL.

"There has to be some way in which we can honestly take care of our athletes. In the NFL, you get paid whether you have a good game or not. Why can't track and field operate the same way?"

Johnson represented her nation at the 2022 World Championships but faced a disqualification after a crash out.