Alexis Ohanian, renowned as Reddit’s co-founder and Serena Williams‘ husband, has recently turned his focus to revolutionizing women’s track and field.
Long overshadowed by other sports, this discipline has often struggled to secure the recognition and funding it deserves. Ohanian, determined to change this, made a bold move with the launch of Athlos in 2024.
Athlos, the first-ever all-women’s track and field event with a substantial prize purse, offered $60,000 to the winner of each event.
This initiative marked a turning point for the sport, signaling respect and appreciation for athletes’ dedication. Among the beneficiaries of this transformation was rising star Twanisha “TeeTee” Terry, whose achievements exemplify the potential Ohanian seeks to highlight.
Twanisha Terry: A champion on and off the track
Twanisha Terry’s journey began at just nine years old when her talent on the track became evident. Competing in the Junior Olympics in her first year, she was part of a record-setting 4x100m relay team for her age group. Her dedication to both academics and athletics led her to the University of Southern California, where she earned a communications degree while pursuing her dreams on the track.
Terry has since become one of the sport’s brightest stars, achieving a personal best of 10.74 seconds in the 100 meters and earning a gold medal in the relay team. She also overcame an early injury to qualify for the 2024 Olympics with an impressive 10.89-second run.
However, Terry‘s aspirations extend beyond the finish line. In January 2025, she shared her plans to give back to the community, emphasizing the importance of youth support.
“The community played a huge role in where I am today,” she wrote on Twitter, drawing a supportive response from Ohanian, who expressed interest in collaborating to make her vision a reality.
When not racing, Terry enjoys crocheting, spending time with her French bulldog Prada, and exploring opportunities in sports broadcasting. With Ohanian‘s support and her own determination, Twanisha Terry is poised to inspire the next generation of athletes and redefine the future of women’s track and field.