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Olympic champion Gabby Thomas made a surprising reference with ATHLOS over Grand Slam Track as 'changing the game' after World Athletics Ultimate Championship big money reveal.
Following World Athletics big money reveal for the Ultimate Championship set to debut in September 2026, Olympic champion Gabby Thomas has reacted to the news by referencing ATHLOS over Grand Slam Track (GST) League as the game changer.
In a release by the World Athletics, the ruling body of the sport announced a $10 million prize money pot for the Ultimate Championship, with each winner walking away with the whooping sum of $150,000 - the highest paycheck for a track and field meet.
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Reacting to the news, Thomas quoted Citius Mag tweet on X revealing the money breakdown, saying:
"No because @alexisohanian and @athlos really changed the game. you love to see it."
Her comment has been met with several reactions with many believing Michael Johnson's GST League which she's signed to changed the game with a higher-paying check of $100,000 over ATHLOS' $60,000.
The GST League debuted in Kingston and witnessed each Slam winner claim the prize of $100,000 - Thomas won the Long Sprints category.
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However, ATHLOS headed by Serena Williams' husband Alexis Ohanian, was the first to announce the highest paycheck in a single athletics meet by paying its winners $60,000.
The record-breaking women-only track day meet successfully debuted on September 26, 2024, at the Icahn Stadium on Randall’s Island in New York City, and featured some of the fastest women in the world including Olympic champions and World Record holders.
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With an offer of the largest-ever purse for a women-only competition, the competition modernized the sport by combining "competition with entertainment, including a performance by top musician Megan Thee Stallion after the last race, that drew “near-universal praise” from participants and fans globally.
In addition, the meet also broke the record of viewership for women's sports across all social media platforms, garnering 3 million views, which smashed the record-breaking viewership of Caitlyn Clark's WNBA debut for Indiana Fever, watched by 2.1 million viewers.
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These stats undeniably make Thomas' stance believable but considering she's a part of both projects, it raises questions on her loyalty to one over the other.
Notwithstanding, track fans can enjoy the fact that they have more meets to enjoy to their satisfaction and the sport is growing to the demand of more financial benefits for the athletes.
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