Athlos Boss Uses Faith Kipyegon's Breaking4 to Aim Brutal Dig at Struggling Rivals Grand Slam Track

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Athlos Boss Uses Faith Kipyegon's Breaking4 to Aim Brutal Dig at Struggling Rivals Grand Slam Track

Abigael Wafula 20:10 - 28.06.2025

Alexis Ohanian offered Faith Kipyegon $100K to break the mile world record, using the moment to criticise Grand Slam Track's failure to pay athletes.

Serena Williams’ husband and Athlos founder Alexis Ohanian aimed a brutal dig at rivals Grand Slam Track using Faith Kipyegon’s Breaking4 project.

Alexis Ohanian shared a tweet on X (Twitter) a few days ago, promising Faith Kipyegon $100K if she goes under four minutes in the mile.

In the tweet, he seemingly made fun of Grand Slam Track’s financial struggles, as they have allegedly failed to pay athletes.

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In the race, Faith Kipyegon managed to clock 4:06.42 in ideal conditions at Stade Charléty in Paris, France, a time that shaved 1.22 seconds off her previous world record of 4:07.64.

“We’ve got $100K on @Kipyegon_Faith to break the world record!! And you better believe we’ll swiftly wire (just like for all our Athlos athletes at our record-breaking meet last year),” Alexis Ohanian said in the tweet.

Grand Slam Track’s Financial Woes

Michael Johnson
Track legend Michael Johnson is the founder of the Grand Slam Track | AW

Michael Johnson’s Grand Slam Track is allegedly struggling financially and has failed to pay athletes. The final leg of its inaugural edition was scheduled for Los Angeles from June 28 to 29, but was abruptly cancelled.

Norwegian outlet NRK interviewed some athletes, including Brazil’s Alison dos Santos, asking them if they had been paid.

The 2022 world champion confirmed that he was still waiting for US$250,000. Dos Santos added that the cancellation of the Los Angeles Slam was a surprise.

The Canadian Running Magazine further pointed out that reigning Olympic 800m champion Emmanuel Wanyonyi said that he was yet to receive the money.

“It might come. Why shouldn’t it come? They have to pay us. I’ll be patient and wait,” he said.

On his part, Nico Young said, “I don’t know if I’m supposed to say anything about it. We’re working on it.”

An agent representing several Grand Slam Track (GST) athletes told the Canadian Running Magazine that only half of the prize money from the Kingston meet has been paid out, while athletes from the Miami and Philadelphia events are still waiting.

According to the agent, delays are common with large track and field payouts, with athletes typically waiting six to 12 weeks after a race to receive payment. It's now been 11 weeks since the inaugural meet in Kingston.