If there’s one event in track and field that keeps getting overlooked, it’s the women’s hammer throw. And the latest snub? Straight from World Athletics, Athlos, and Grand Slam Track, who recently dropped a promo for the season, and totally left out the hammer throw. Not a single mention, even though the sport is witnessing one of its highest-ever moments right now! Women hammer throwers are making serious waves at the moment, but there is one who stands out for more than one reason.
We are referring to Janee Kassanavoid, a two-time world champion and the first Indigenous American woman to secure a medal at the World Championships. Kassanavoid has definitely carved out her place in history. And yeah, she’s got every right to be frustrated. For those who don’t know, Kassanavoid, who turned 30 in April 2025, has been absolutely crushing it in the hammer throw, with a personal best of 78.00m that puts her among the best throwers of all time. But despite her insane talent and record-breaking performances, events like the Hammer continue to get pushed aside, overshadowed by more “flashy” events.
The issue of minimal media coverage and limited exposure to women’s hammer throw continues to be a major problem in the sport. Despite the incredible talent and dedication of athletes like Janee Kassanavoid, who’s putting in years of hard work, the event still seems to be treated as an afterthought. Recently, when Beau Throw page shared a screenshot on X of Kassanavoid’s Instagram story, where this track and field star posed elegantly in black sports gear.
No event in track and field is more disrespected than the women’s hammer.
6/8 best women EVER are competing right now and World Athletics just straight up says “No thanks”.
@JaneeNae24 pic.twitter.com/nuHbFpFRDp
— Beau Throws (@beau_throws) April 29, 2025
The caption read, “Another beautiful way to be a women’s hammer thrower.” But it didn’t stop there — she added, “No Diamond League, no Grand Slam, no Athlos, no ‘ultimate’ world championship.” A statement that perfectly shows the lack of recognition these athletes face. But this isn’t just a Kassanavoid issue; it’s part of a bigger problem that impacts other women’s hammer throwers, including stars like Brooke Andersen, Camryn Rogers, and DeAnna Price. These track and field athletes are competing at the highest level, but the event still isn’t getting the attention it deserves.
Even with Kassanavoid, ranked #9 in the world, a 1x World Championships silver medalist, and 1x NACAC champion, the recognition is lacking. But why is she now opening up about it? It might be because of Tara-Davis Woodhall’s recent recognition.
Tara Davis-Woodhall became the face of progress in Women’s track and field
In late 2024, Olympic long jump champion Tara Davis-Woodhall and her husband, Paralympic gold medalist Hunter Woodhall, publicly criticized Michael Johnson’s Grand Slam Track league for excluding field events. Johnson, a four-time Olympic gold medalist, launched the league with the aim of revitalizing track and field by focusing solely on track events. He explained that field events take longer to conclude and may not be ideal for television coverage, leading to their omission from the league’s inaugural season.
Tara Davis-Woodhall didn’t hold back when she blasted Michael Johnson over his new Grand Slam Track league, excluding field events. “About my sport, it doesn’t need saving at all,” she said. “it’s track and field for a reason.” And she didn’t stop there. “If you wanted to change the sport, you should have changed it a long time ago — instead, you were skipping out of the sport.” Months may have passed, but that mic drop moment is still echoing through the sport.
Now a Nike athlete, Davis-Woodhall followed up that headline-making moment with another win — this time off the runway. Just days after signing with Nike in early 2025, she was announced as the headliner for the second edition of Athlos, a women-only track and field meet series created by Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian. The two even shared the stage on April 28 at the Possible Miami marketing conference, speaking about their partnership and shared vision. “My entire goal, since I’ve gone to track and field, was to change the sport,” she said during their panel. Last year’s inaugural Athlos drew three million viewers, and 2025 is shaping up to be even bigger.
What’s new this time around? Field events are finally getting their shine. For the first time, Athlos will include field competitions, and leading the charge is none other than the Olympic long jump champ herself. Tara Davis-Woodhall will headline the field events at the October 10, 2025, Athlos meet, bringing her trademark flair and fan-first energy to a stage that’s finally ready to spotlight her sport. But still, track and field needs more development.
The post Left Disrespected by Athlos, Grand Slam Track and World Athletics, 2X World Champion Fires Angry Message Over Snub appeared first on EssentiallySports.