Gail Devers Speaks On Sha'Carri at Athlos NYC

September 28, 2024

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Sep 28, 2024 | Edition #30

The 2024 track and field season was dreamlike. No wonder we got nostalgic for a bit, thinking about Tara and Hunter Woodhall's marvels from Paris. But, thanks to Alexis Ohanian, we were pulled out of reminiscing and had the chance to re-experience the competitive thrill one last time this year.

In an unforgettable finale, Athlos NYC, September 27, drew the curtain on a spectacular track season. Call it ‘the Sha'Carri Richardson effect,’ but even in her absence, she found a mention in track legend Gail Devers' words. On another note, Masai Russell ended her Athlos stint wanting to protest against the authorities. Dramatic right? Oh, wait till you hear about the $150,000 crowning moments!

So let’s dive in!

📜 QUOTE OF THE DAY

“Every accomplishment starts with the decision to try”

— Gail Devers

In today’s newsletter, we’ll uncover these top stories from Track & Field universe:

✉️ Gail Devers’ Encouraging Message to Sha'Carri Richardson

🗣️ Masai Russell Anger Sparks Debate

👑 Athlos NYC 2024 Shines With Tiffany & Co

💪🏻 Alexis Ohanian’s Vision Receives Support From Women!

🔎 THROUGH THE LENS

Gail Devers Speaks On Sha'Carri at Athlos NYC

Track buffs have every reason to think that Sha'Carri Richardson has not had the best season. But Gail Devers believes, 'Everything happens for a reason.' While at the Icahn Stadium for Athlos NYC, she opined that perhaps Sha’Carri Richardson did not get the Olympic gold because she's supposed to get it on home soil at the LA Games 2028. That way, life would come full circle as she'd end the drought for a women's 100m gold for America 32 years after Devers last got it in Atlanta, in 1996.

Devers also claimed she was impressed by Richardson, whose story was one of resilience, "When the chips are down, she finds a way to come back." Indeed, her dreams of debuting at the Tokyo Games were dashed by her doping controversy. But she fought back. And this year, she struggled with her snail-paced starts. But everything is achievable as Devers thinks, "It's just about trusting and believing." Plus, she also feels Richardson has support and that is what Athlos was about too— women supporting each other.

Although, Richardson's weakness (slow starts) is not hidden from Devers who had previously cited how they can make or break the deal for her in Paris. But, Devers understands how plans may fail last minute. Struggling from a 100-meter hurdles jinx, prevented her from shining in this category till the end of her career. But Devers kept trying. Well, so has Sha'Carri this season. The first blow hit her at the U.S. Olympic Trials. Enter Paris, she lost the 100m gold medal to Julien Alfred by 0.15 seconds. Come Brussels, her setback worsened to the unimaginable— 8th in a 100m sprint with 11.23s on the clock. But hopefully, she rises like a phoenix.

📊 POLL OF THE DAY

Tennis Star Serena Williams’ Husband, Alexis Ohanian, Launched a Game-Changing Event With Athlos NYC 2024, a Women’s-Only Track Showdown That Opened a New Chapter in U.S. Athletics. Did You Tune In for the Action?

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Last Poll’s Result: The results are in for our Track & Field Power Couple poll, and it’s exciting! Sydney McLaughlin & Andre Levrone Jr. have taken the crown with 44% of the votes, just ahead of Hunter and Tara-Davis Woodhall, who garnered 40% of your votes! Thanks for sharing your favorites with us!

🗣️ DEBATE OF THE DAY

Masai Russel Wants To Protest For Her 100mH Event

Too much entertainment caused a rule neglect? Well, Athlos NYC's opening event, the 100m hurdles took a dramatic turn on Friday. Masai Russell not only lost the race to Jasmine Camacho-Quinn by 0.08s but made shocking allegations— wanting to 'protest' because of flinching at the start line. Claiming to be affected by the same, she felt her $60,000 prize was invalidated for no fault of her own, "It's a lot of prize money on the line and I think the person who ran the legal race should get the prize money they deserve." She even claimed her agent had gone to speak to the meet directors.

Visibly trailing from the start, Russell claimed, "I was playing catch-up the entire race." A few fans agreed that it was a clear false start and that the officials were to be blamed who missed the call. But well, as per the World Athletics, the rule book says that if an athlete moves within 100 milliseconds (0.1 seconds) of the gunfire, that counts as a false start. Just this year, athletes like Aleia Hobbs and Fred Kerley have been disqualified from crucial races due to false starts. But in this case, no one was called back or shown the yellow card.

However, it's interesting that Russell said she does not want to re-rerun. She said, if the sensors went off and people's reaction times were faster than what is allowed, that should be taken into account. The firing continued as she said, that when representing World Athletics, the meet should set a standard of what's right and wrong. For now, viewers just have the video to watch and decide, as no official statements have aired.

PS: Looks like something is brewing as Russell's latest tweet has earned a reaction from the mastermind behind Athlos—Alexis Ohanian himself!

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📽️ VIDEO VAULT

Masai Russel’s Take on Athlos’ ‘False Start‘ Controversy!

Is she being a sore loser? Or were rules truly violated? Masai Russell, the reigning 100m hurdles Olympic Champion speaks after running the inaugural race at the Athlos NYC this Friday. Hear all about her experience and the details of the controversy! What’s her next step?

🔦 SPOTLIGHT

Tiffany & Co. Sponsors Athlos Track & Field Event

When Athlos NYC called itself revolutionary, there were many dimensions to it. One included swapping the old-school 'medaling' tradition with modern 'crowning' ceremonies for the 6 winner athletes. And, thanks to Athlos NYC's sponsor Tiffany & Co., Alexis Ohanian's vision came to life! We bet you haven't heard of an opulent jewelry brand collaborating with a short-distance track event. Wait till you hear more.

Tiffany & Co., has been crafting trophies officially for the US Open since 1987. And now for Athlos NYC, they have specially designed 6 silver crowns, each worth $25,000 to be awarded to every race winner, in addition to the prize money of $60,000. Notably, while each Paris Olympics gold medal came up to $900, these crowns are worth much more. Gail Devers thought of this to be a mark of the circuit taking track a step above, "We win gold medals, this is platinum. This is taking a step above." Well, 42.5 inches in height and 7.2 in diameter, these glistening awards are nothing short of royalty!

Also, it's no ordinary 1.4 pounds of sterling silver compound. In fact, each crown features detailed designs executed to perfection at the hollowware workshop in Cumberland, Rhode Island. And it's after 10 weeks and 25 hours of grind, using age-old silversmithing techniques blended with contemporary aspects like EDM cutting and etching that these exquisite possessions were made. Well, for decades now Tiffany has been shaping athletic mementos, right from creating the MacArthur Bowl for the NFL in 1959. But, for Ohanian's brainchild, they took it a step forward by creating a stylish award that one can wear.

🧐 THE PERSPECTIVE CORNER

Alexis Ohanian Gets Backed By Women Athletes For His Grand Competiton

Alexis Ohanian believed that women in track and field have always been exceptional. But after the Olympics, they disappear for the next three years. Well, that's what Athlos NYC was about— making sure they get the attention they deserve and of course, the prize money! In this aspect, the execution of this event hit the nail right on the head. Gail Devers said Alexis' move has given hope to kids and has increased access and opportunity for everyone. PS: she even told him he needs to have his statue on a monument!

Jamaican veteran Praught Leer revealed, "When I started the sport, men were making all the money!" Historically in sports, there has been a gender pay disparity. And also a cap on the available opportunities. Thus, the people who have faced either are now realizing how visionary Ohanian's initiative is. Gail Devers says, "There was a time we were told, you can't run, you have to be demure." Today female track athletes rank equal when it comes to prize money, track circuits, popularity, etc. But Athlos NYC is taking it a notch ahead, by giving women athletes every bit of applause they deserve.

And in turn, they're hailing Ohanian's initiative. Brittany Brown stated how she literally felt taken care of, "I ain’t never been treated like this." Shamier Little called it a 'princess treatment,' right from the first-class flights to the room, while Kiyegon who went home with the crown and $60,000 thinks this would motivate young girls all around the World. Despite her allegations, even Russell backed that, "The production of this meeting is insane," while Gabby Thomas felt their voices were truly heard at Athlos.

📝 STORIES YOU SHOULDN’T MISS!

  1. Brittany Brown Gives Honest Feelings After Cashing Out $110K at Athlos NYC - Full Story

  2. Faith Kipyegon Wholesome Moment With Gudaf Tsegay Closes Paris Olympics Controversy Chapter at Athlos NYC - Full Story

  3. Serena Williams’ Husband Alexis Ohanian Receives Humble Request From Jasmine Camacho-Quinn - Full Story

  4. Gabby Thomas Gives Honest Feelings About Alexis Ohanian After Athlos NYC Loss - Full Story

  5. Alexis Ohanian Makes Major Promise on Athlos’ Future After Blockbuster Event - Full story

That’s it for today, folks! We’ll look to knock on your inbox soon with more interesting stories!

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