In the world of track and field, athletes either blaze across the track and exit the sport or stay to shape its future, and that’s exactly what Tara Davis-Woodhall chose. She joined Alex Ohanian’s Athlos, stepping beyond the lane to leave a lasting mark. “This is gonna be fun,” the Olympic gold medalist said when asked why she signed on. When Michael Johnson unveiled his high-profile track league packed with elite talent, Tara’s name was noticeably absent. Why? She wasn’t just another athlete on the roster; she was part of Athlos’ core team, working alongside Sha’Carri Richardson and Alex Ohanian to craft a legacy that extends far beyond medals.

Recently, the athlete, sidelined from the World Athletics Championships due to injury, sat down with NBC for a candid conversation about her career, her future, and everything in between. Amid the juicy questions, the reporter asked why she chose Athlos over Grand Slam Track. With a smile, she revealed that Alex had pulled out all the stops to make her a part of the venture, leaving her no reason to hesitate, “Well, Athlos started right after the 2024 Olympics. Alexis Ohanian invited Hunter and me out there, and it was just a sprint-only event. I told Alexis, “Listen, we’re not coming unless I’m competing,” and he was like, “God, I heard that. I’m gonna work something up.” 

She’s absolutely right, the inaugural Athlos meet in 2024 featured six electrifying track events: 100m, 100m hurdles, 200m, 400m, 800m, and 1500m. Field events like jumps and throws weren’t part of the plan, yet. Fast forward to 2025, and Athlos is shaking things up by adding the long jump to the lineup. The action kicks off on October 9 in the heart of Times Square, New York City, with the finals set for October 10 at Icahn Stadium.

Davis-Woodhall added, “Some months down the road, he called my phone asking me, ‘What’s your dream location? Where do you dream of competing? Where do you want to see yourself in X amount of years, and what do you want to see yourself do?” I told him everything I wanted, and the field has come to life for Athlos.” She isn’t just another competitor; she holds a pivotal role as part of both the core and advisory committees, alongside stars like Sha’Carri Richardson and Gabby Thomas. In fact, it’s fair to call them the founding advisory members shaping the event from the ground up.

The reporter also delved into her role on the advisory committee. When asked about her responsibilities, the athlete revealed, “Yeah, Gabby Thomas and Sha’Carri Richardson, we are partners, which, you know, means we get to have a voice in these events that are happening. We get to choose teams, see these athletes, and pick those who deserve these spots to truly showcase their potential and talent.”

While the sprints grab all the headlines, events like the hammer throw and long jump quietly produce some of the sport’s most jaw-dropping moments—masterpieces of skill that rarely get their due. Often overlooked, these non-track events hold immense growth potential, and both the Reddit co-founder and Tara Davis-Woodhall are ready to bet on their future. Well, she is not the only one who is looking forward to working with Athlos. Let’s have a look at what Richardson has to say about her Athlos inclusion.

Sha’Carri Richardson on her addition to Athlos alongside Tara Davis-Woodhall and Gabby Thomas

Alex Ohanian’s Athlos made waves last year when its inaugural event drew 3 million viewers for a women’s track showcase in New York. Among the 35 athletes competing under the Athlos banner were stars like Gabby Thomas and 1,500m world-record holder Faith Kipyegon, all vying for the largest prize pool in the event’s history. The event featured synchronized LED wristbands for spectators, a DJ, and a post-race concert by Grammy-winning artist Megan Thee Stallion. That’s not all, it attracted a diverse audience, including celebs and influencers.

Talking about her experience as well as inclusion at the event, Sha’Carri Richardson told ESPN, “I take pride in doing what is right for people. Joining ATHLOS as an advisor-owner gives me the opportunity to create something that genuinely empowers people both on and off the track.” Richardson might be in an off-season, but she’s clearly excited for next year’s Athlos. Alex also believes that these three stars make a stellar addition to the advisory team.

“Gabby, Sha’Carri, and Tara represent a new generation of athletes who have put this sport on their shoulders and deserve to be compensated for being the standard-bearers. We were focused on bringing them into the league as founding owners to ensure we’re building a League that our athletes will love,” said Alex. Ahead of its official debut, Athlos will be returning to the Icahn Stadium on Randalls Island on October 10. Thomas and Tara Davis-Woodhall are confirmed to compete, with six track events and one field event on the lineup.