Olympic medalist Gabby Thomas has sent shockwaves through the track and field world after publicly pledging her support for the fast-rising ATHLOS movement, even after dominating the Grand Slam Track meet in Kingston.
Thomas, fresh off a sensational performance in the women’s 400 meters at GST, clocked a personal-best 49.14 seconds — a time that not only secured her a $100,000 winner’s purse but also catapulted her to No. 3 in the world rankings for 2025.
“I’m very proud of that,” Thomas told reporters after the race.
“I think it’s what I’ve been training to do. I came in wanting to execute and that’s what I did.”
However, In response to World Athletics’ recent announcement of a record-breaking $10 million prize pool for the 2026 Ultimate Championships in Budapest — where individual event winners will walk away with $150,000 — Thomas took to social media to deliver a resounding endorsement of ATHLOS NYC.
“No because @alexisohanian and @athlos really changed the game. You love to see it,” Thomas posted on her X account.
Thomas’s endorsement of ATHLOS adds another layer to the ongoing rivalry between the two emerging track leagues. Grand Slam Track, founded by Olympic legend Michael Johnson, has positioned itself as a high-stakes, elite competition with substantial prize money. However, it has also faced criticism over organizational issues, athlete disputes, and venue challenges.
Meanwhile, ATHLOS NYC spearheaded by Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian, has positioned itself as a disruptive force, emphasizing athlete empowerment, innovative event formats, and fan engagement. The league has already attracted significant attention, with Thomas’s public backing further legitimizing its growing influence.
Gabby Thomas’s decision to publicly support ATHLOS raises critical questions about the direction of professional track and field. The sport is entering an era of unprecedented financial opportunity—but also potential fragmentation.