- Faith Kipyegon won the women’s mile at the inaugural Athlos NYC event held in Times Square.
- Serena Williams personally crowned her with a Tiffany & Co. silver crown.
- The event, founded by Alexis Ohanian, aimed to blend athletics, entertainment, and glamour.
- Organisers plan to expand Athlos to global cities like London and Tokyo.
Kenyan star Faith Kipyegon added another glittering chapter to her legendary career after winning the women’s mile at the first-ever Athlos New York City event, where she was crowned by none other than tennis icon Serena Williams.
The race, staged in the heart of Times Square, was the highlight of the new Athlos competition, a reimagined athletics showcase founded by Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian, Serena’s husband. The event combined world-class sport with high-end entertainment and star appeal, marking a fresh chapter for global track and field.
Instead of traditional medals, winners received specially crafted Tiffany & Co. silver crowns, a symbol of excellence and power. When Kipyegon crossed the finish line, Serena herself stepped forward to place the elegant crown on her head, creating a moment that united two of the most dominant female athletes of their generation.
“Faith represents everything powerful about women in sport: discipline, grace, and domination,” Serena said after the crowning. “It’s amazing to see women athletes celebrated the way they deserve to be.”
The Athlos event is part of a bold new vision to turn athletics into a global spectacle, fusing competition, music, and glamour to attract younger audiences and major sponsorships. Ohanian’s 776 Foundation spearheaded the concept to raise athlete visibility and reward excellence with prestige and innovation.
Faith Kipyegon, a double Olympic champion and multiple world record holder, lived up to her reputation, showing composure and dominance in the final lap to seal victory under the bright lights of New York.
Organisers revealed plans to make Athlos an annual global series, with future events being considered for London, Tokyo, and other major cities.
For Faith Kipyegon, the night wasn’t just another win; it was a crowning moment, both literally and symbolically, cementing her status as one of the greatest athletes of her time.
