Olympic gold medalist and global track sensation Sha’Carri Richardson joined startup Athlos as an owner-advisor, stepping into a leadership role with the women-focused athletics startup as it plans a massive expansion into a team-based, multi-meet league beginning in 2026, Reuters reports.
Founded by Reddit (NYSE:RDDT) co-founder and women’s sports advocate Alexis Ohanian, Athlos first debuted as a standalone track meet in 2024 and quickly gained momentum among fans and Olympic athletes alike, according to Reuters. Now, the company is preparing for a full-scale relaunch of women’s track and field as a season-long entertainment product with athlete ownership and oversized prize purses at the core of its model.
Olympic Stars Are Now Owner-Advisors
Richardson will not be leading the charge alone, Reuters says. Joining her in the ownership group are Olympic long jump champion Tara Davis-Woodhall and triple Olympic gold medalist Gabby Thomas, who competed at the first Athlos meet.
According to Reuters, the trio brings decades of elite experience, global visibility, and championship-level influence to the startup as it aims to reshape the business model of professional track.
Kayla Green, Athlos’ chief media officer, told City AM that the company is focused on building the league with athletes at the center, highlighting that the advisory group will provide feedback as the league takes shape.
Trending: Wall Street’s Missing This AI Surgical Tech — You Don’t Have To. Invest from $350.
Athlos Plans Multicity Series With Athlete Equity
Following its initial success in New York, Athlos plans to add a marquee field event in 2025 with Davis-Woodhall headlining the long jump competition, Reuters reports. In 2026, the company will evolve into a multicity format, hosting team-based meets after the conclusion of the World Athletics season to maximize athlete availability and viewership.
Reuters says that Athlos integrates athlete co-ownership and financial equity by involving Olympic champions as founding adviser-owners and implementing a revenue-sharing model, aiming to enhance the visibility and earning opportunities for women athletes beyond traditional frameworks.