The Athlos Athletics meeting in New York, a groundbreaking event dedicated entirely to women athletes, witnessed a thrilling upset on Thursday as Brittany Brown, the bronze medalist from the Paris Olympics, dominated 200m Olympic champion Gabby Thomas. Brown surged past Thomas in the final meters, securing a decisive victory with a time of 22.18 seconds, leaving Thomas to settle for second place in 22.21 seconds.
This rematch between the two athletes was one of the highlights of the Athlos meeting, which was masterminded by entrepreneur Alexis Ohanian, the husband of retired tennis legend Serena Williams. The event boasts a unique format, featuring 36 women competing across six disciplines. Each event winner takes home a substantial $60,000, with a total prize purse of $663,000—double the amount awarded in the Diamond League final just two weeks ago.
The event also saw other Olympic stars shine. Puerto Rico’s Jasmine Camacho-Quinn, the 2021 Olympic gold medalist, clinched the 100m hurdles in a time of 12.36 seconds, edging out Alaysha Johnson (12.43) and Paris gold medalist Masai Russell (12.44). Dominicans celebrated as Marileidy Paulino secured victory in the 400m with a time of 49.59 seconds. Kenyan distance runner Faith Kipyegon, known for her prowess, dominated the 1500m, clocking in at 4 minutes and 4.79 seconds. Finally, Ivorian sprinter Marie-Josee Ta Lou-Smith added another triumph to her impressive resume, winning the 100m in 10.98 seconds.
The Athlos Athletics meeting is a testament to the growing recognition and support for women’s sports, offering a platform for top athletes to showcase their talent and compete for significant financial rewards. The event promises to continue pushing boundaries and fostering a new era of inclusivity and recognition for women in athletics.
