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Brittany Brown, who walked away with a cool $85,000 at the inagural Athlos Women's only event, has opined how meet directors can make things more conducive for all athletes in order to make them feel more appreciated.
Olympic 200m bronze medalist Brittany Brown has shared her belief that athletics meet directors should focus on more than just awarding prize money to athletes, following her memorable experience at the Athlos Women’s-only event in New York City.
The event, which marked the end of her season on a high note, left Brown feeling valued and appreciated beyond the financial rewards, giving her a renewed perspective on how athletes should be treated.
Brown was one of the standout performers at the inaugural Athlos NYC all-women’s track meet, clinching victory in the 200m over Olympic gold medalist Gabby Thomas.
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She also secured a second-place finish in the 100m, walking away with $85,000 in prize money and a Tiffany & Co. tiara, which was awarded to each of the six race winners. In the final event of the night, Brown clocked 22.18 seconds in the 200m, narrowly edging out Thomas by three hundredths of a second at the iconic Icahn Stadium.
Reflecting on her experience, Brown expressed her elation over the meet, which she said made her feel "like a queen," symbolised by the tiara she wore after winning the event. She emphasised the importance of meet organisers recognising the value of athletes beyond financial compensation.
"I think that is important just as much as the money. Show me that you care. I am in a place in my life where you should show me that you care," Brown told LetsRun.com.
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"Show me that you care about me as an athlete. Not just about the money. I invest a lot of time and money, so I just want a little respect in return—not just for female athletes, but for all athletes in general."
Brown went on to explain how the Athlos meet stood out for its attention to detail and athlete care, something she felt is often overlooked.
"It feels great. To cap off this year with money, respect, and being taken care of, you really cannot beat that. Even the photographers. I feel like a lot of times, we go to meets and never get our pictures. They had a link just for us to get the pictures. That stuff is just as much as the money."
On her Instagram page, Brown described the experience as "indescribable," highlighting the importance of being treated with respect as a professional female athlete.
"From the prize money to the goodie bags, to how the staff treated and spoke to us, it was all amazing," she wrote. "I am honoured and feel very privileged to be in this sport at this time where we are getting back to investing in the athletes."
Brown’s success at the Athlos meet is a testament to her perseverance and determination. Despite not having the most glamorous start to her career, she has risen to prominence through sheer hard work.
She made her first Olympic team at the age of 29, despite never winning a state title in high school or an NCAA title in college at Iowa, and she began her professional career without a shoe contract.
Her breakthrough came in 2019 when she won silver in the 200m at the World Championships. After a five-year gap, Brown returned to the global stage with another medal, securing bronze in the 200m at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
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