Alaysha Johnson, a 28-year-old Olympian and one of the fastest American women in the 100-meter hurdles, is not just sprinting for medals—she’s pushing to reshape the future of track and field.
With a personal best of 12.36 seconds, Johnson’s athletic achievements are already remarkable, but her vision for the sport’s future is what truly sets her apart.
After her NCAA champion days at the University of Oregon, Johnson made a bold decision to train at House of Athlete, a facility known for hosting NFL and NBA players, instead of the traditional track camps.
This unconventional path reflects her desire for innovation, as she adopted cross-sport training methods to elevate her performance and inspire a fresh approach to training in track and field.
At the 2024 U.S. Olympic trials, Johnson turned heads when she competed in borrowed shoes and a self-designed kit, making a statement about athlete autonomy.
Rejecting free promotions for big-name sponsors, Johnson stressed the importance of athletes maintaining control over their own image.
She believes that athletes should be fairly compensated for their value, challenging traditional sponsor-driven relationships in the sport.
Johnson’s vision for change extends beyond branding. She played a key role in Athlos, a September 2024 track event in New York City that offered over $500,000 in prize money.
Created by Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian, Athlos drew over 3 million viewers, demonstrating the potential for women’s track and field when given proper investment and visibility.
The event’s revenue-sharing model and athlete care are seen as blueprints for a more sustainable future in track and field.
Johnson’s personal experiences growing up shaped her understanding of the financial challenges athletes face in the sport, and she is determined to push for better financial security for track and field athletes.
“There has to be some way we can honestly take care of our athletes,” she tells Forbes, drawing comparisons to the NFL, where athletes are compensated regardless of game outcomes.
As Johnson continues to compete, her mission is clear: to ensure that future athletes have better opportunities and resources, and to challenge the outdated structures of track and field.
“You can be things that are not created yet,” she says, determined to leave a lasting impact on the sport.
