In the high-stakes world of track and field, where every stride and leap counts, Tara Davis-Woodhall has emerged as a vocal advocate for the often-overlooked field events. As a long jump superstar and Olympic gold medalist, she’s not one to stay silent when the sport she loves is imbalanced. Recently, Davis-Woodhall has been particularly vocal about the prominence given to track events over field, a sentiment that resonates deeply with fans who appreciate the full spectrum of athletic prowess. So what fueled her feud now?
Well, as Athlos made a major announcement of bringing the field event Long-Jump to Times Square, scheduled on October 9, and Tara is under the spotlight. Sitting along with the Athlos owner for an interview, Tara recalled the moment when her frustration peaked, and she dropped the anchor with a message that was as salty as it was powerful.
When Alexis Ohanian, the man behind Athlos, initially set the event as track-only, Davis-Woodhall responded with a mix of passion and pointed critique. “Oh, I was so salty, actually,” she admitted, her words carrying the weight of someone who’s seen the sidelines of her discipline too often. “I was like, ‘What about field events?’ Yeah. I feel like field events are always being looked at last, always on the back burner.” Her frustration wasn’t just personal; it was a call to action for the entire sport. “But field events are so important for track and field—when no sprinting events are going on, it’s not lively anymore. It’s almost quiet,” she continued, painting a vivid picture of the lull that can settle over a stadium without the dynamic interplay of field events.
Tara Davis-Woodhall and Alexis Ohanian talking about ATHLOS and bringing the long jump competition to Times Square pic.twitter.com/21bTK6K2LX
— Travis Miller (@travismillerx13) July 17, 2025
Yet, her message wasn’t all criticism; it was also a reminder of the excitement field brings. “But then you realize there’s field events happening. So in between each running event, there’s a field event going on. You’re never bored—you’re left with two hours of full excitement.”
Tara’s acknowledgment of Athlos’s potential, “Having a track-only event was beautiful, and thank you for starting it”, was tempered by her plea for balance: “But field deserves the love too! There are field events happening. And yeah, now that I’ve got that off my chest…” It was a moment that encapsulated her advocacy, leaving fans and organizers alike to ponder the future of the sport. But what does this mean for the ongoing debate over track-centric events, especially in the shadow of Michael Johnson’s Grand Slam Track?
Tara Davis-Woodhall’s fiery critique of Michael Johnson’s Grand Slam Track
In the world of track and field, where legends are made and debates are fierce, Tara Davis-Woodhall has stepped into the ring with a message that’s as Thanksgiving as it is combative. As fans, we’ve seen her soar in the long jump, but her recent words have grounded the conversation around Michael Johnson’s Grand Slam Track. “First of all, Happy Thanksgiving. I’m thankful for everything, I’m thankful for my sport,” she began, setting a tone of gratitude before launching her critique.
2023 World Athletics Championships Budapest Tara Davis-Woodhall USA, Long Jump Women, during the 2023 World Athletics Championships at National Athletics Centre, Budapest, Hungary on 19 August 2023. Budapest National Athletics Centre Hungary Editorial use only , Copyright: xIanxStephenx PSI-17887-0049
But then came the punch from Tara: “About my sport, it doesn’t need saving at all. It’s actually Michael you’re ruining this sport, if you’re trying to save just track, it’s track and field for a reason.” Her words echo through the stadiums, a reminder that the sport’s heart beats in both track and field.
Davis-Woodhall didn’t stop there. Her frustration with Johnson’s focus on track events alone was palpable. “We don’t need your saving, you’re long gone, your time is passed,” she declared, a sentiment that resonates with those who’ve watched the evolution of the sport. “If you wanted to change the sport, you should’ve changed it a long time ago instead, you were skipping all of the sports.” It’s a narrative that challenges the very foundation of Grand Slam Track, leaving us to wonder: Can the sport truly thrive without embracing its full identity?
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