Faith-Ann Young was honored to be commissioned by Athlos to design the commemorative flag for Athlos, the women’s only professional track and field event in NYC, which debuted at Icahn Stadium on October 11, 2025. 

According to Vogue, “Athlos is more than just a track event; it’s pioneering a new era in women's running—creating a platform that honors and celebrates female feats. Founded by Alexis Ohanian, this year marks the second iteration of the event. Last year, 35 of the most talented women athletes in track vied for the prize. This year's event expanded to include even more athletes—as well as a first-ever Field competition—setting the stage for record-breaking performances. Olympian Brittany Brown even pocketed over $120,000 with her two wins this year.” While Faith-Ann is an LA-based artist, she went to college in New York City and lived there 8 years, so it was an honor to contribute back to the community with this brand collaboration.

When designing this year’s Athlos commemorative flag, Faith-Ann drew from two sources of inspiration :

First — the classical Greek idols — symbols of balance, grace, and timeless athletic power (the very meaning of Athlos). At Icahn Stadium, the Discobolus statue stands as a monument to that ideal. But instead of immortalizing a male figure, Faith-Ann designed this flag to celebrate the modern goddesses of track & field — featuring the iconic silhouettes of Sha’Carri Richardson, Tara Davis-Woodhall, and Gabby Thomas - all fierce, unstoppable women whose strength, style, and spirit redefine what greatness looks like today.

Second — the flag’s bold streaks of color evoke the unseen forces that drive them: rhythm, energy, belief, and that unstoppable feminine current in motion. Behind their silhouettes, Faith-Ann layered expressive paint strokes and abstract waves of color, evoking the unseen, magical energy they emit.

This piece honors them not just as competitors in history, but as real-life goddesses—making and remaking history in real time.

This is one of many public art commissions and athletic collaborations for Faith-Ann, as she designed a golf flag installation for LA Golf Club which were presented at Sofi Stadium in 2024 and also designed Angel City Football Club’s soccer scarf for AAPI Heritage month this year in May of 2025. Through these works, she explores how art can reflect the energy of sport — collective, intergenerational, and deeply human.

As part of this incredible night, it was so inspiring to be able to contribute to history being re-written. “From the intense racing to Ciara's electric performance to cap off the mega-event, one thing was made clear: Athlos is only just getting started. “It was just electric. It's very empowering to be among so many successful people, competing amongst the fastest women in the world," Maisai Russell adds, “I just have so much gratitude and truly can't wait for the next one.””

Attendees were given these flags during the event - to keep as mementos and keepsakes from this special night. Said Faith-Ann “It’s beautiful to imagine young girls and fans hanging this flag on their walls,” Faith-Ann adds, “a daily reminder of strength, excellence, and their own power to make history.”

Flags have always spoken in ways language can’t — claiming space, gathering people, carrying memory and myth. Artists have long used them to subvert power, to reveal new forms of unity, to imagine futures where more of us belong. Faith-Ann sought to do the same here : to affirm the new history that is being made by these powerful women in real time. With Los Angeles preparing to host the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games, Faith-Ann is passionate about creating future public art and design collaborations that celebrate unity, resilience, and the shared rhythm of body and spirit in motion.

Photo Credits: Athlos Instagram (geofflowe, shayshotit, mauschisview + Ariivory) + Faith-Ann Young