There's a million hills you could choose to die on. A million causes you could invest your time and passion into. You'll be a better person if you make sure this is not one of them.
I think the OP is asking a reasonable question about equality and it is thought provoking and timely. This is more than just about women’s track and field.
Unfortunately, many of those opposed to looking deeper into this question cannot see beyond the headline.
Today, would we be fine with a meet of made up of just white men? The answer is an obvious no, but this doesn’t go far enough in washing away our complicit support of inequalities in all forms. Sure, are some worse than others? Yes. But all are wrong.
This ATHLOS meet is pure virtue signaling by its creators and those that support the meet. If you get right down to it, however, it’s wrong and we can do better.
Now that’s a hill worth dying on, even if it’s just for a little track meet.
The fact you had to add "white" to make a false equivalence is indicative of the lack of a point that you have.
There is “two ways about it.” Athlos is women competing against women. You’re trying to make something out of nothing. Why don’t you raise some money yourself and put on whatever kind of meet you want?
repeating myself, you folks don't seem to grasp that we have several events we do that are just women, and if we say anything like that is discrimination, would have to allow men. eg miss america.
and perhaps vice versa. fraternities. etc.
you can downvote my trans arguments all you want but if you're saying you can't hold woman only events then men get in everything.
to me this silly argument underlines the lack of philosophical education of the critics. you come up with some half clever argument. you don't consider its grander implications.
but then to me this is about men getting nervous about reduced power and wanting effective affirmative action. that's what forcing yourself into a rare woman only event is.
most of the leading money earners each year in TF are men. almost all events cover both. historically men made higher prizes in the same meets, and higher sponsorships. (world's smallest violin.)
I think it's fine to have men-only or women-only events. In fact, the road races in NYC are so crowded that I wish they would separate more of the races.
Where were the protests outside Athlos? Who is going to organize the men’s only meet? Get to it!
My wife D2 All American xc runner does not see the point of an all woman's meet either.
If I ever win the lottery I'll just bankroll a men's league. Ive promised a lot of things on this website if I win the lottery hold me to it 😂
I’ve spoken to women NCAA champions and professional women who won’t watch or support this meet because of what it represents -sexism. The very thing all women should not want.
The meet is Over-sexualized visuals risk reinforcing old stereotypes that women’s sports need to be “sexy” to sell. This is exactly what’s wrong with this meet and idea
Many athletes ( men and women ) feel that Athlos was created by outsiders with wealthy investors and image consultants rather than by people who genuinely understand track and field culture. The overall tone comes across as corporate, curated, and “Instagram-perfect,” instead of athlete-driven, giving the impression of a polished marketing product rather than a genuine competition. To many within the sport, the emotional core that defines true athletics grit, rivalry, and community feels missing, leaving the event disconnected from the authenticity that fans and athletes value most.
In the last two decades or so, women's track has received full equity with their male counterparts. One could even argue that it's unbalanced, as up until this year, there was a significant amount of more money and scholarships spent on women's track and field in the collegiate system compared to men. On the pro level, most, if not all, shoe brands are more invested into femaled contracts than male contracts.
Why not allow men to compete at ATHLOS? It's discriminatory and there really isn't two ways about it.
bottom line is Athlos has strong marketing and deep pockets, but little athletic love. It’s viewed by some as a “showy exhibition” rather than a serious meet. Until it feels earned, athlete first, and competitively meaningful, many top women will keep their distance and offer no support
Athlos markets itself with slogans like “Women lifting women” and “Power through unity,” but critics including many women within the sport argue that empowerment doesn’t mean immunity from accountability. They point out that you can’t preach respect and safety while keeping someone accused of violence in a leadership role, as it risks coming across as performative while using empowerment as branding rather than genuine principle. Because Sha’Carri Richardson brings immense social-media influence and marketing power, makes everyone realize Athlos leadership prioritized popularity over principle, valuing visibility, headlines, and sponsorships even at the cost of credibility. This has led to the perception that Athlos is “selectively feminist” quick to condemn men for misconduct but silent when a high profile woman is at fault. As a result, many female professionals have become hesitant to support or compete in the event, unwilling to align themselves with what they see as hypocrisy or a meet that feels image managed rather than integrity driven. That silence only reinforces the belief that Athlos is a manufactured brand built by marketers, not an authentic movement born from the true spirit of the sport.
Athlos keeps preaching “women supporting women,” but empowerment means nothing without accountability. You can’t talk about respect and safety while ignoring serious issues inside your own leadership. Until integrity matters more than image, Athlos will stay what it feels like now a Bull$hit manufactured brand, not a movement at all. This hurts women’s spots more then helps it.
keeping her on the board without visible accountability undermines the very ideals Athlos promotes. otherwise the movement starts to look like a marketing only campaign rather than a genuine cultural shift. Athlos preaches empowerment but acts like accountability doesn’t matter. If you look the other way like Athlos you don’t really care about women’s sports
In the last two decades or so, women's track has received full equity with their male counterparts. One could even argue that it's unbalanced, as up until this year, there was a significant amount of more money and scholarships spent on women's track and field in the collegiate system compared to men. On the pro level, most, if not all, shoe brands are more invested into femaled contracts than male contracts.
Why not allow men to compete at ATHLOS? It's discriminatory and there really isn't two ways about it.
The main thing I am confused about is... Nikki Hiltz being there. So she is a woman?
In the last two decades or so, women's track has received full equity with their male counterparts. One could even argue that it's unbalanced, as up until this year, there was a significant amount of more money and scholarships spent on women's track and field in the collegiate system compared to men. On the pro level, most, if not all, shoe brands are more invested into femaled contracts than male contracts.
Why not allow men to compete at ATHLOS? It's discriminatory and there really isn't two ways about it.
The main thing I am confused about is... Nikki Hiltz being there. So she is a woman?
Between Nikki Hiltz racing there and the sexism of the meet and allowing Sha’Carri Richardson to represent the meet after her arrest is ridiculous and disgusting at the same time.
