Amusan faces Williams, Charlton at Athlos

Nigerian hurdler and former world record holder Tobi Amusan will face a strong field including world indoor record holder Devynne Charlton and former world champion Danielle Williams at the Athlos meet in London on Friday (today), PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

Athlos is a professional, female-only track and field meeting series that was first held at Icahn Stadium in New York City on September 26, 2024.

The series was due to expand to a two-day event in 2026, with the London debut followed by another leg in New York. However, this year’s New York meet, scheduled for October 2, was cancelled.

It was created by Alexis Ohanian, Reddit co-founder and husband of 23-time Grand Slam singles champion Serena Williams, with a prize purse of $2.1m.

Amusan was confirmed for the meet in August and will go head-to-head with some of the best names in the women’s 100m hurdles at StoneX Stadium in Barnet.

Reigning world record holder and Olympic champion Masai Russell was also confirmed for the event but withdrew earlier this week, days after winning the Diamond League and the $150,000 World Ultimate Championship.

Other athletes expected to line up at Athlos London include USA’s Alaysha Johnson and Jamaica’s Megan Simmonds.

In addition to chasing a top prize of $65,000 in each event and an Athlos crown designed by Tiffany & Co., athletes will be offered equity in the league, with the idea that they will be rewarded if it becomes successful.

“The cash compensates their participation and success, and the equity recognises what we’re building together. If we get this right, it should properly place these amazing athletes on the same level as they are every four years during the Olympics,” Ohanian told the BBC in May.

“This equity is a way for us to have a real partnership. These are the athletes who are the first movers, the ones who are taking a leap and helping us get this started.”

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.