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Justin Gatlin has opined why he thinks cash-heavy track meets such as the Athlos Women's Only-meet could hurt athletes post-retirement.
American sprint legend Justin Gatlin has shared his reservations about the Athlos Women’s Only meet, a high-profile track event held in New York this past September, raising concerns about its potential impact on athletes’ mental focus.
Gatlin’s insights, shared on the Ready Set Go podcast, center on the risk that the hefty prize purses at events like Athlos might skew athletes’ focus towards monetary gains rather than long-term performance and career sustainability.
The Athlos NYC meet, a brainchild of Reddit cofounder Alexis Ohanian, brought a fresh twist to track and field, featuring an all-women’s lineup and a star-studded guest list, including personalities like Marsai Martin, Lupita Nyong’o, and Shonda Rhimes.
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12:01 - 06.11.2024
Jamaican sprint legend condemns Michael Johnson's Grand Slam track league, Alexis Ohanian's Athlos
The two-time Olympic champion has revealed one major shortcoming in upcoming track leagues including Michael Johnson's Grand Slam as he opined what they can do to change that.
The event offered prize money that was double what’s awarded at the Diamond League finale, with each race winner receiving $60,000 and a custom Tiffany crown—a stark contrast to the usual track meet rewards. Ohanian’s goal, as he explained, is to elevate women’s athletics by creating an event that celebrates and financially supports top female athletes.
Top athletes, including Olympic champions Faith Kipyegon, who dominated the 1500m, and Marileidy Paulino, the 400m victor, competed at the event, which reflects a broader trend of rising investment in track and field.
Alongside Athlos, the Diamond League announced increased prize money for 2025, and American sprint icon Michael Johnson revealed plans for a new event, the Grand Slam Track, promising even more lucrative rewards.
However, Gatlin sees a potential downside to this influx of high-stakes competitions. He worries that the focus on large cash prizes might lead athletes to fixate on earning money through these short, high-stakes races, ultimately affecting their ability to transition out of the sport smoothly.
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16:00 - 02.11.2024
'This is only the beginning'- Serena Williams' husband Alexis Ohanian eyes expansion for Athlos NYC after electric debut
Alexis Ohanian envisions an even larger Athlos NYC event next year, aiming to elevate women's athletics and inspire global audiences.
“It doubled the prize money, so first place in America is going to be 60k. There are going to be a lot of people in America and the UK who work all year long just to make 60k,” Gatlin observed.
"These females will run 11 or 10 seconds to make 60k, so that cycle is perpetuated. Now I am gonna go to the next meet and score big… and then by the time you retire, you realize like ‘hold on, hold on.'"
Gatlin further explained that the quick financial gains might leave athletes unprepared for the reality of life after track and field.
“I made this in 10 seconds, now I gotta wait a whole year to make this?” he said, describing the potential psychological toll. “Now your mind is warped, and everything goes upside down as you try to manage your life because you didn’t realize that life would stop at some point.”
His cautionary remarks shed light on the potential pitfalls of an athlete’s career becoming overly driven by financial incentives, especially in an era where events like Athlos aim to amplify earnings for women in athletics.
While these innovative meets are boosting visibility and pay for female athletes, Gatlin’s reflections highlight the importance of balancing career longevity with immediate financial rewards in the high-stakes world of professional track and field.
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