Alexis Ohanian, husband of Serena Williams, recently defended his track and field competition Athlos and its face, Gabby Thomas, against a critic on X (formerly Twitter). The critic questioned Ohanian’s involvement in Grand Slam Track, another event featuring Thomas, prompting Ohanian to respond fiercely. He expressed confusion at the notion that Thomas could be “owned” by Athlos, emphasizing that no athlete is “owned” by any event or entity, and applauded Thomas for her achievements.
Ohanian also clarified that his use of quotes around the word “own” was sarcastic, rejecting the implication that he or anyone else could control an athlete’s participation in different events. He further criticized the focus on negativity on social media, encouraging people to be more productive.
Athlos NYC, Ohanian’s inaugural all-women’s track competition held in September 2024, was widely praised for offering the largest prize purse in track and field history. The event featured notable athletes like Gabby Thomas, Alexis Holmes, and Faith Kipyegon, along with performances by Megan Thee Stallion and DJ D-Nice. Ohanian, who has also been involved with Angel City FC and co-produced a reality show for NWSL players, is a strong advocate for women’s sports and aims to expand Athlos in 2025.
