Kenyan athletic sensation Faith Kipyegon is set to embark on another historic quest, aiming to become the first woman in history to break the elusive four-minute barrier in the mile race.
Adding a significant layer of excitement and incentive to this monumental attempt, Reddit co-founder and venture capitalist Alexis Ohanian, husband to tennis legend Serena Williams, has publicly pledged a staggering $100,000 (Ksh12,925,000) reward should Kipyegon achieve this groundbreaking feat.
Ohanian took to his X (formerly Twitter) page to announce his significant pledge, unequivocally backing the Kenyan superstar. In two separate posts, he declared:
“Hope she wins our $100K ? I’ve got Faith,” he replied to a post that said, “World records weren't enough. Faith Kipyegon is chasing the impossible.”
"If Faith Kipyegon makes history, ATHLOS will pay the queen her dues. All eyes on sub-4.," he added via Instagram.
Faith Kipyegon’s record-breaking attempt, titled "Breaking4: Faith Kipyegon vs. the 4-Minute Mile," is scheduled for Thursday, June 26, 2025, at the Stade Charléty in Paris, France.
The event, backed by Nike, is designed to create optimal conditions for Kipyegon to make history.
While the sub-4-minute mile time, if achieved, won't be officially record-eligible due to the controlled environment (including male pacers and advanced gear), its symbolic impact would be immense, mirroring Roger Bannister's historic first sub-4-minute mile for men in 1954.
Kipyegon currently holds the women's mile world record at 4:07.64, set in 2023, meaning she needs to shave off a remarkable 7.65 seconds.
The race is set to be live-streamed globally on Nike's YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, and Amazon Prime Video, commencing at 7:15 p.m. CEST (8:15 p.m. EAT).
Alexis Ohanian's passion for sports, especially women's athletics, is well-documented. Inspired by his wife, Serena Williams, and their daughter Olympia, Ohanian has consistently championed equal pay and increased investment in women's sports.
He was a founding investor and former largest shareholder of Angel City FC, a successful US National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) team. More recently, in May 2025, Ohanian acquired an 8-10% stake in Chelsea Women's football team, a deal reportedly worth £20 million.
He expressed his belief that Chelsea Women could become a "billion-dollar franchise," emphasizing his commitment to elevating women's sports globally.
He also founded the "Athlos" track meet, a women-only event designed to provide larger prize purses and greater exposure for female athletes, which held its inaugural successful event in 2024.
Ohanian's pledge to Kipyegon is not merely a financial incentive; it's a powerful statement about the belief in women's athletic potential and the drive to break traditional barriers.
As Faith Kipyegon prepares to step onto the Parisian track, the eyes of the world, including a very invested Alexis Ohanian, will be watching closely to see if she can write a new chapter in sporting history.
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