Brittany Brown Shines at Athlos NYC: A Landmark All-Women's Track Meet
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The inaugural Athlos NYC track meet, held at Icahn Stadium on Randall's Island, marked a significant moment in women's athletics, drawing top talent from around the world and offering unmatched prizes that set new standards for track and field events.
Brittany Brown emerged as a standout performer, clinching victory in the 200m with a time of 22.18 seconds, narrowly defeating Olympic gold medalist Gabby Thomas. This win was particularly significant given Brown's background; she did not attend a traditional powerhouse track school and had to overcome various challenges early in her career, including working multiple jobs to support her athletic pursuits.
Brown also secured a second-place finish in the 100m, clocking 11.05 seconds, just behind Marie Josée Ta Lou-Smith of Côte d'Ivoire, who won in 10.98 seconds.
Other notable performances included Jasmine Camacho-Quinn of Puerto Rico, who won the 100m hurdles in 12.36 seconds, and Faith Kipyegon of Kenya, who continued her dominance in the 1500m by pulling away from the competition in the final stretch.
Marileidy Paulino from the Dominican Republic won the women's 400m at the Athlos NYC meet, finishing with a time of 49.59 seconds.
Faith Kipyegon, a 3-time Olympic champion won a tactical 1500m while her compatriot Mary Moraa from Kenya emerged victorious in the women's 800m race.
Women's 1500m Race Video:
The Athlos meet was not just about competition; it also aimed to enhance the viewer experience by integrating entertainment, featuring a performance by Megan Thee Stallion. This added a unique flair, likened by Alexis Ohanian, the event's creator and Reddit co-founder, to the vibrant atmosphere of a New York Knicks playoff game or a music festival.
Ohanian's involvement in women's sports isn't new; he has been a significant supporter through various ventures, including investing in the NWSL's Angel City FC and a Portland-based women's sports bar. His commitment is partly inspired by his wife, Serena Williams, a noted advocate for women's sports.
The meet offered $60,000 for first place winners, $25,000 for second place, $10,000 for third, and prizes down to $2,500 for sixth place in each category.
Overall, Athlos NYC set a high bar for future events, promising to return with even more excitement and innovation in the coming years, aiming to continually elevate women's track and field.
