Kenyan athletics sensation Faith Kipyegon was crowned by tennis legend Serena Williams following her victory in the women’s mile at the inaugural Athlos New York City event.
The race, staged dramatically in the heart of Times Square, was the centerpiece of the newly launched Athlos athletics meet — a high-profile competition designed to reimagine track and field for a global audience. The event, created by tech entrepreneur and Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian, Serena Williams’ husband, fused sport, entertainment, and glamour in a way rarely seen in athletics.
As part of the event’s unique concept, winners were not presented with traditional medals but with intricately designed Tiffany & Co. silver crowns, symbolizing their dominance and excellence. When Kipyegon crossed the finish line to claim victory in the women’s mile, it was Serena Williams herself who stepped forward to present her with the coveted Athlos Crown — a moment that brought together two of the most iconic female athletes of their generations.
Serena’s presence added star power to the event, but it was Faith Kipyegon’s performance that captured the world’s attention. The double Olympic and multiple world champion maintained her trademark composure, surging ahead in the final lap to secure another emphatic win.
The Athlos event sought to bridge the gap between elite competition and entertainment, turning athletics into a spectacle that could rival major global sports productions. Organizers described it as a ‘new era for track and field,’ aimed at giving athletes the recognition, visibility, and financial rewards they deserve.
Serena Williams’ role at the event went beyond being a celebrity guest. As one of the most accomplished athletes in history, with 23 Grand Slam titles and an unmatched legacy in women’s sports, her participation symbolized the unity of excellence across disciplines.
“Faith represents everything that’s powerful about women in sport — discipline, grace, and domination,” Serena said in her brief address after the crowning. “It’s amazing to see women athletes celebrated the way they deserve to be.”
The Athlos NYC event, held over the weekend, is a new global athletics showcase spearheaded by Ohanian’s 776 Foundation. Designed to bring athletics closer to mainstream entertainment, the event featured dramatic street races, live music, celebrity hosts, and high-end production.
Instead of medals, winners received Tiffany & Co. silver crowns — a deliberate move to elevate the prestige of the competition and make it more appealing to younger audiences and sponsors.
The Athlos organizers announced plans to make the event an annual spectacle, potentially expanding to other cities like London and Tokyo.