Alexis Ohanian on Why Serena Williams Will Be Tiffany Crowning Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce at the ATHLOS NYC 2025

Tennis legend Serena Williams will crown Jamaican sprint icon Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce in a special Tiffany & Co. ceremony during the ATHLOS NYC 2025 event, co-founded by Reddit’s Alexis Ohanian.

The event, scheduled to take place under the lights at the Icon Fight Arena, will serve as both a celebration of Fraser-Pryce’s extraordinary career and a symbolic passing of the torch from one era of sporting dominance to another.

Fraser-Pryce, a five-time World 100m champion and eight-time Olympic medalist, announced her retirement following the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, bringing an 18-year journey to an emotional close.

Speaking on CBS Mornings in a very recent interview, Fraser-Pryce reflected on her decision to call it a day, specifically in Japan.

“Why did I decide now was the time? Well, 18 years ago, I started my first race in Osaka, Japan.

“ Back then, I was so unsure of who I was and what I really wanted. Fast forward 18 years later, I ended my journey in Tokyo — I think it was destiny.

“I’ve given 18 wonderful years to track and field, and I feel it’s time to do more off the track. I’ve done so much for the sport, for Jamaica, and for women’s sprinting. Now I want to continue to elevate track and field using my voice in another way — in another lane.”

Ohanian believes Williams, his wife, getting to crown her fellow sporting legend could redefine the sport of track and field, with his vision being to make it broader beyond just the Olympics.

“This is the legend — Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce. Even as someone who only got involved in athletics about a year ago, you know her name, you know this icon,” Ohanian said.

“It’s going to be an unforgettable scene — under the lights at Icon Fight — from one GOAT to another. It feels spiritually right; it’s a game-recognizes-game moment.

“It aligns perfectly with what we’re building — the future of track and field — a model inspired by Formula 1, where competition meets showmanship. This will be a chance to pause, reflect on greatness, and celebrate it.”

The ATHLOS NYC 2025 event will showcase a mix of elite track competition and entertainment, aiming to transform athletics into a global spectacle while honoring legends who paved the way.