Alexis Ohanian, the mam behind the Athlos women’s-only track event, has shared the similarities between Sha’Carri Richardson’s story and his while expressing his admiration for the sprinter.
Alexis Ohanian, the brains behind the recently held Athlos women’s-only track event, has revealed his admiration for Sha’Carri Richardson and how her story mirrors his.
Richardson is one of the world’s top sprinters following her gold medal win at the 2023 World Championships and continues making waves in the world of sprints but her journey to the top had its challenges.
She won the Olympics trials ahead of the delayed 2020 Tokyo Games but was locked out after a drug test that revealed she had used Cannabis. Following her one-month suspension, she explained that she used it to cope with the pressure of qualifying for the Olympics while mourning the death of her mother.
16:01 - 01.10.2024
American sprint legend Gail Devers on why Sha'Carri Richardson is still the sprinter to beat despite Olympics setback
Three-time Olympic champion Gail Devers defended Sha'Carri Richardson's performance at the Paris Olympics, emphasising her resilience and predicting the US will reclaim gold at the LA 2028 Games, possibly with Richardson.
She has since bounced back to win gold at the Worlds, Olympics silver in 100m and gold in 4x1-00m relay to put herself on the man as one of the superstars in track and field.
“I see some Sha’Carri clips, and I’m like, wow, okay, like I can’t not pay attention to her,” Ohanian said as per Essentially Sports.
“She’s got this amazing energy; she’s great on the track, and she has this big personality.”
15:59 - 29.09.2024
Gabby Thomas explains impact of Alexis Ohanian's women-only Athlos event
Gabby Thomas has praised the success of the women-only track event, Athlos, and is looking forward to more of the same in future.
The Reddit founder then weighed in on Richards’ doping ban which he termed “unfair,” drawing parallels with his own situation.
“I thought, well, that’s kind of messed up,” Ohanian, who is the husband to tennis legend Serena Williams said of Richardson’s ban.
“I lost my mom when I was just starting out. Reddit, um, I definitely self-medicated quite a bit, using the Mary Jane [Cannabis].
22:39 - 28.09.2024
ATHLOS highest earner Brittany Brown takes on Diamond League organisers for poor winning earnings
Olympic bronze medallist and ATHLOS standout sprinter Brittany Brown wants Diamond League organisers to invest more in prize earnings for athletes.
“I’m like, I know that’s not a performance-enhancing drug. I realize it’s important to have drug testing; I get it. But, like, you can kind of pick and choose what the drug should be, and that one doesn’t seem like a very important one.”
Ohanian has been forthright in his push for female athletes to get recognition and earn what they deserve and put his money where his mouth is with the highly successful Athlos meet where each winner walked home with $60,000.
Richardson was, however, among the top names who missed out and will be hoping to be involved in the next edition.
16:32 - 03.10.2024
Faith Kipyegon reveals lucky American who bagged her running spikes from successful 2024 season
Multiple world and Olympics champion Faith Kipyegon has shared how she sought to motivate a young girl in the US by gifting her the running spikes from her impressive 2024 campaign.