All you need to know about Athlos

All the questions you have on Athlos, answered!

What is Athlos?

Athlos is an all-female, track and field competition. It showcases female athletes in a unique way, incorporating the world of entertainment and, in 2025, creating queens!

Who created Athlos?

Athlos was created in 2024 by Alexis Ohanian, the founder of Reddit, women in sports ally and husband of Serena Williams. In ancient Greek, athlos meant contest but not just of athleticism; it was also a test of excellence and spirit.

What’s the format? How does Athlos work?

Athlos is an invitation-only, two-day festival of women’s sport, a celebration consisting of both track and field events. The events are:

Track events: 100 m, 100 m hurdles, 200 m, 400 m, 800 m, and 1500 m.

Field event: Long jump

Each event has six top-tier athletes competing and the races are the ‘final’ - there are no heats or qualifications.

What do winners receive?

First, second and third place athletes receive a cash prize as well as a Tiffany & Co crown. While the crown carries its own value, it’s also a symbol of empowerment and legacy, marking these athletes out as icons in their sport and culturally.

What’s the significance of Athlos?

Where to begin?! Athlos is an example of investment in women’s sport and how having some sparks of creativity, can place it front and centre of our conscience. The event blends sport and entertainment in a way that the Americans really know how to do, setting an example for how sport can be. Some people might not like all the razzmattazz and think that it takes away from the magnificent athleticism on display but if it creates the right kind of buzz around women’s sport then …

And an event like this does attract new audiences - people who perhaps wouldn’t think to go to a traditional track and field event but who want to go to watch long jump in Times Square! How cool is that?!

The event is only in its second year but it should always remain fresh. While there may be some constants among the six athletes per event, each year there will be some new additions, shining the light on new stars.

For the athletes, this is a great event at the end of the season, a place to dazzle and impress as a small group, knowing that they have full support of everyone involved - everyone is there for them.

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