Alexis Ohanian Did What Michael Johnson Couldn’t for Tara Davis-Woodhall & Other Women Athletes

Michael Johnson had the track and field world debating when he made the statement: “I am going to save what I think I can save; I think I can save track, I don’t think I can save track and field.” While his plan to save the track has been a sinking ship after the LA slam got cancelled, with athletes going unpaid, Alexis Ohanian has been on that mission. He introduced to the world a women-only league that seems to be flourishing.

Athlos debuted at Icahn Stadium in New York City, featuring six events: 100m, 100m hurdles, 200m, 400m, 800m, and 1500m. The event boasted a large prize purse, with winners earning $60,000 and athletes receiving a share of the event’s revenue, a rare arrangement in track and field. Each winner received their $60,000, and all participants shared 10% of the event’s revenue, setting a new standard for athlete compensation in track and field. Now he’s focused on the 2025 season, but before that, he is bringing Tara David Woodhall to Times Square.

“I’m jumping in the middle of Times Square. Oh yes! October 9th, the day before Athos, we’re jumping four times in the middle of Times Square. They’re shutting Times Square down.” Tara Davis-Woodhall announced on an episode of the Ready Set Go podcast. The second edition of Athlos NYC is scheduled for October 10, 2025, at Icahn Stadium in New York City, but the day before that, Athlos is bringing its first-ever women’s long jump competition right to the heart of NYC on October 9. And the lineup? Stacked.

We have Tara Davis-Woodhall, Olympic bronze medalist Jasmine Moore, World Indoors silver medalist Monae’ Nichols, and Olympian Quanesha Burks. She had made an Instagram post about this where Ohanian commented, “Heard they’re now calling it FIELD AND TRACK”. While this might, not be a hit a Michael Johnson comment, the probability is high with Tara saying in the podcast, “That’s how you change track and field. That’s how you change the game of long jump. To put eyes onto the sport where it is not so-called welcomed, “. Track & Field will be returning to Times Square after 13 years.

She further informed that there will be four jumps at Times Square, then she was asked if she would like to jump in front of the crowd on October 10th, to which she agreed. “We get to add three more jumps just for fun,” the Olympian said. As much as there is to thank Alexis for saving the sport, Tara Davis Woodhall has not less in making the efforts for it.

Tara Davis-Woodhall’s fight for the Field

Back when Johnson made the can save track but cannot save track and field comment, the Woodhalls didn’t hold back. Tara publicly responded, saying, “Michael, you are ruining the sport if you are trying to save just track… It’s track and field for a reason.” Hunter also mocked Johnson’s approach, suggesting his comments were more about staying relevant than respecting the full scope of athletics. Tara also played a big role in Athlos, focusing on the field. She joined it with the intention of seeing her sport elevated.  

In an interview, the long jumper said she reached out to Ohanian after the initial Athlos announcement focused primarily on track events. No debates there. The initial announcement of Athlos, specifically when it was first introduced in April 2024, focused exclusively on track events, featuring six sprint and middle-distance races. Only later, for the 2025 edition, did Athlos expand to include a field event, the long jump.

“It is always looked at last, on the back burner, but field events are so important for track and field,” Tara Davis-Woodhall said. “When no sprinting is going on, it is almost quiet, but then you realize there is a field that is happening.” What are your thoughts on this?