Faith Kipyegon shines at inaugural women-only athletics meet

The inaugural Athlos NYC meet took place on Thursday at Icahn Stadium, featuring an all-female lineup of athletes. This event was launched by entrepreneur Alexis Ohanian, who aims to harness the growing popularity of women's track and field. The atmosphere was festive, drawing a large crowd eager to support the athletes at the end of a busy athletics season. Faith Kipyegon, the world record holder and Olympic champion, demonstrated her dominance in the 1,500 metres, finishing with a time of 4:04.79. Her performance solidified her reputation as the leading figure in middle-distance running. Ethiopian Diribe Welteji and Kenyan Susan Ejore-Sanders followed her, but neither could match Kipyegon's speed in the final stretch. In addition to Kipyegon's victory, the meet featured other notable performances, including Brittany Brown's impressive finish in the 200 metres, where she narrowly defeated Gabby Thomas. The event's structure allowed for significant financial rewards, with winners receiving $60,000, which is notably higher than the prize money offered at the Diamond League finale. The Athlos NYC meet represents a shift in the athletics landscape, focusing on women's events and providing a platform for female athletes to shine. This initiative not only celebrates their achievements but also aims to inspire future generations of female athletes.