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Justin Gatlin has explained why he thinks the recent women's-only Athlos track meet in New York will define a new era for the sport.
American sprint legend Justin Gatlin has expressed his excitement about the recently launched women’s only Athlos track and field event in New York, describing it as a transformative initiative for the sport, particularly for female athletes.
The event, which took place on Thursday night, served as the final World Athletics Continental Tour Silver meeting of the season, showcasing six elite events and offering a substantial prize of $60,000 for each winner.
The star-studded event featured some of the world’s top athletes, including Kenya's Faith Kipyegon, who continued her incredible season by winning the 1500 meters in 4:04.79 after a tactical race.
Other standout performances came from Ethiopia's Tsige Duguma, who capped off a brilliant year by winning the 800 meters in 1:57.43, outpacing Kenya’s world champion Mary Moraa.
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12:09 - 27.09.2024
'This sport is really changing'- American sprinter admits after beating Gabby Thomas to Athlos title
Brittany Brown had the last laugh after finally cruising to victory against eternal rival Gabby Thomas.
In the 200 meters, Brittany Brown of the U.S. edged out her compatriot and Olympic champion Gabby Thomas, finishing in 22.18 seconds to Thomas' 22.21. Brown had earlier placed second in the 100 meters, with Marie-Josee Ta Lou-Smith of Côte d'Ivoire taking the win in 10.98 seconds.
The 100-meter hurdles saw Puerto Rico's Olympic champion Jasmine Camacho-Quinn triumph in 12.36 seconds, while the Dominican Republic’s Marileidy Paulino secured another victory in the 400 meters, clocking 49.59.
Gatlin, who was in attendance, believes that the New York Athlos meet could be the start of a movement that will help elevate women in track and field.
Speaking on his Ready-Set-Go podcast, Gatlin emphasized the importance of initiatives like this in giving female athletes the platform they deserve.
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“I am really excited for what it stands for. It is empowering the women, especially of our sport. Women in sports do not get a fair stake when it comes to the wow factor,” Gatlin said.
The Athlos event, which featured a mix of sprints, middle-distance, and hurdle races, provided a more intimate and focused atmosphere, designed specifically to highlight the abilities and personalities of female athletes. Gatlin believes that women in track and field have long led the charge in creating a level playing field in sports and deserve the attention and exposure that events like Athlos provide.
“To be honest, I feel track and field women lead the charge in that because we are really one of the two sports that create a level playing field where a woman can be able to hold the excitement of the whole of track and field," Gatlin explained.
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"People will come into stadiums to watch people run sprints and distance and hold that flagships."
Gatlin's admiration for the event comes from his long-held belief that track and field has struggled to gain the consistent global exposure needed to give its athletes, especially women, the recognition they deserve. For him, the Athlos event represents a potential turning point in changing the sport’s narrative.
“It is time for them to have their own event and meet to see what it looks like because it can transform track and field to different perspectives and meets,” he said.
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