World record holder Tobi Amusan has been confirmed for the London and New York legs of the all-female track meet Athlos, billed for September and October. “The world record holder is coming to Athlos. Tobi is taking on what she does best, the 100m hurdles,” the organisers announced.
Athlos is a professional, female-only track and field meeting series that was first held in New York City in 2024. The all-female track meet will head to London for the first time in 2026 as it expands to a two-day event. Created by Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian, Athlos will also be held in New York for a third consecutive year.
In addition to a prize pot of $2.1 million (£1.5 million), athletes will be offered equity in the league. “The cash compensates their participation and success, and the equity recognises what we’re building together,” Ohanian told BBC. Athletes can earn up to $65,000 in each individual event, while overall champions will receive an additional $25,000, meaning an athlete winning in both cities could pocket $155,000.
The confirmation of Amusan for the Athlos series is a testament to her standing in the sport. The $2.1 million prize pot and the equity offer reflect the growing commercialisation of track and field. For Nigerian athletics, Amusan’s participation is a source of pride and a reminder of the potential for Nigerian athletes to compete at the highest level.
The winners: Tobi Amusan, who will compete for significant prize money; and Nigerian athletics, which gains visibility. The losers: the athletes who are not invited; and the Nigerian government, which must invest in the development of track and field.
Bottom Line: Tobi Amusan is heading to the Athlos series. $2.1 million is on the line. The question is whether she can add to her world record legacy.