Athlos NYC at Icahn Stadium showcases all-women track and field athletes
Athlos NYC drew many stars on and off the track to Icahn Stadium at Randall’s Island in New York City for a one-of-a-kind event that saw 36 women compete in six track and field contests. The event, held last Thursday and formerly known as the 776 Invitational, was created by Alexis Ohanian, best known as the co-founder of Reddit and the husband of tennis icon Serena Williams.
Among the well known figures in attendance was television producer/screenwriter/director Shonda Rhimes, actress Lupita Nyong’o, hip-hop artist and reality television personality Flavor Flav, actress Marsai Martin; co-host of the “7PM in Brooklyn with Carmelo Anthony & The Kid Mero” podcast The Kid Mero, and four-time Olympic gold winning athlete and television sports commentator Sanya Richards-Ross.
Hip hop legend and world-renowned DJ, D-Nice, created the vibe before, between and after the six events, playing an eclectic mix of music for the diverse crowd of about 5,000. Three-time Grammy Award-winner Megan Thee Stallion closed out the event with a 30-minute performance.
Sprinter Jasmine Camacho-Quinn, who was born in Charleston, South Carolina, competed collegiately for the University of Kentucky and took home gold in the women’s 100-meter hurdles at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, won the first race of the meet, the women’s 100-meter hurdles, in a time of 12.36, defeating Jamaica’s Danielle Williams, Charisma Taylor from the Bahamas, and Americans Alaysha Johnson, Masai Russell, and Tonea Marshall.
Marie Josée Ta Lou from the Ivory Coast won the women’s 100 meters in a time of 10.98, defeating Zoe Hobbs from New Zealand, Great Britain’s Daryll Neita, and Celera Barnes, Candace Hill and Brittany Brown of the United States.
The Dominican Republic’s Marileidy Paulino captured first place in the 400 meters, clocking 49.59, besting Lieke Klaver from the Netherlands, Salwa Naser from Bahrain, and Americans Lynna Irby-Jackson, Shamier Little and Alexis Holmes.
Ethiopia’s Tsige Duguma won the 800 meters with a time of 1:57.43. Jamaican Natoya Goule-Toppin, Halimah Nakaayi from Uganda, Mary Moraa from Kenya, and Americans Addy Wiley and Nia Akins rounded out the race.
Kenya’s Faith Kipyegon won the longest race of the evening, completing the 1,500 meters in 4:04.79, outpacing fellow Kenyan Susan Ejore, Cory McGee of the United States, Great Britain’s Katie Snowden, and Ethiopians Gudaf Tsegay and Diribe Welteji.
In the final contest, Gabby Thomas, who won three gold medals at the Paris Olympics, was upset by Brittany Brown in a photo finish. Brown, who won bronze in Paris, finished with a time of 22.18, just ahead of Thomas, who completed the race just 0.03 seconds later at 22.21. Australia’s Torrie Lewis, and Americans Jenna Prandini, Tamara Clark, and Anavia Battle also competed in the final race of the evening.
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