For the USA’s track and field fans, these are exciting times. Riding high on the athletes’ brilliant stint at the Paris Olympics, the community is reveling. But the action isn’t over yet! Veteran sprinter Michael Johnson’s Grand Slam Track is keeping things hyped. On the other hand, Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian raised the bar quite high with the inaugural edition of his Athlos NYC. Seeing the prospect the sport holds, another icon also believes great things are on their way.

The 2004 Olympic men’s 100m gold medalist Justin Gatlin is an inspiration to aspiring track athletes even today. As the track and field world undergoes tectonic shifts, Gatlin thinks more female stars will be bursting into the scene in the near future.

Justin Gatlin plays the role of the pier for the track and field fans

YouTube podcast Ready Set Go posted a video on October 7 showing the retired runner soaking up the ambiance at the Icahn Stadium in New York for Ohanian’s special event. In the video, Gatlin and his co-host from the podcast, Rodney Green, can be seen interacting with Serena Williams’ husband, discussing the direction track sports is going. At the iconic venue, Gatlin was also seen sharing a special message for the people watching from the stands.

When asked how Athlos NYC is going to impact the sport and the culture, the Olympian lavishly lauded the project for giving female athletes a grander platform. “This means we gotta allow the women to have a place where they can be strong. Where they can be fast, where they can be beautiful, and not be overshadowed by anything else or any other attraction,” Gatlin stated without deliberation.

With that, he also urged the younger track and field stars to keep their eyes on the prize. “To all the young female athletes in the stand, you’re next. Believe in yourself. Stay motivated and inspired. Your time is next,” his sonorous voice boomed across the stadium, and the attendees hailed him with a round of applause. With how Athlos NYC made its first edition a groundbreaking success, Gatlin’s optimism isn’t misplaced.

Ohanian setting standards from the tracks with Athlos

Ohanian’s determination to elevate the quality of female sports isn’t uncommon knowledge as of now. After years of operating as part of the all-female-owned Angel City FC, Ohanian sought to enter the world of track and field. With that in mind, the venture capitalist roped in Olympic gold medalist Gabby Thomas to make his project a resounding success. After Thomas’ incredible triumphs in the City of Love, the hype around Athlos only grew. Along with the Harvard grad, Marie-Josee Ta Lou-Smith, Annie Tagoe, and more athletes quickly got on board. With Ohanian promising a jaw-dropping $60,000 prize money for the winners at the competition, the event naturally attracted some of the biggest female stars from around the world.

With the massive success of the Paris Games, track and field sports have been enjoying a heightened popularity in recent days. The Athletics World Championships will return next year, but various other tournaments in the meantime will keep the fans occupied in the meantime. Which tournament are you keeping your eye out for? How big would you like to see female sports get in the coming days? Tell us with a comment.