Faith Kipyegon reveals main motivation behind joining Serena William's husband's women-only event

Faith Kipyegon reveals main motivation behind joining Serena William's husband's women-only event

Abigael Wafula 07:00 - 12.07.2024

World record holder Faith Kipyegon has explained the main motivation behind joining Serena William's husband Alexis Ohanian's women-only track event.

Faith Kipyegon has disclosed the main motivation behind joining Serena Williams husband Alexis Ohanian’s ATHLOS, a women’s-only track event.

The newly-crowned world record holder will be competing in the 1500m after the Paris Olympics and she disclosed that her main aim would be to inspire more women in sports. The first event, NYC ATHLOS, will be held on September 26 at the Icahn Stadium in New York City.

The two-time Olympic 1500m champion is just fresh from breaking her own world record at the Diamond League Meeting in Paris.

“I am excited to join ATHLOS and I appreciate the celebration of female sports. I hope we can inspire women around the world to be the strongest version of themselves,” Kipyegon said as quoted by Athletics Weekly.

“I like the new concept and believe the combination of sport, fashion, and music will bring a lot of energy and excitement,” she added.

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Meanwhile, the women’s-only track event was launched earlier this year and Kipyegon is the third athlete to be signed. Reigning world 200m silver medallist Gabby Thomas was the first to be named in the team.

World champion Alexis Holmes was also unveiled alongside Kipyegon. However, the list has not ended since there will be a total of 36 athletes competing, with the other set to be unveiled before the Olympic Games. ATHLOS NYC will feature the 100m, 200m, 400m, 100m hurdles, 800m, and 1500m.

The athletes who win the race will walk away with $60,000, an amount higher than what the Diamond League Meeting final offers ($30,000).

Athletes who finish second will pocket $25,000 while the podium finishers will walk away with $10,000. Those who finish fourth, fifth and sixth will pocket $8,000, $5,000 and $2,500.

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