On a balmy April weekend in Kingston, Jamaica, the track and field world turned its eyes to the launch of Grand Slam Track (GST), a daring new series spearheaded by Olympic icon Michael Johnson. With a vision to inject fresh energy into the sport, GST promised fierce competition, hefty paychecks, and a format designed to spark rivalries. The debut delivered moments of brilliance, a few stumbles, and one big question: Can this ambitious experiment captivate fans and athletes alike in the long haul?
The Vision Takes Shape
Michael Johnson, a name synonymous with sprinting greatness, isn’t content to rest on his laurels. His brainchild, GST, aims to fill a gap in a sport that often struggles for attention outside Olympic years. The concept is simple yet bold: lock in 48 elite athletes—split evenly between men and women—for a four-event season, ensuring fans see the same faces battling it out from Kingston to Miami, Philadelphia, and finally Los Angeles. Unlike the sprawling Diamond League, which scatters its stars across global meets, GST guarantees consistency, banking on familiarity to breed excitement.
Doubling Down on Drama
The heart of GST lies in its unique twist: athletes must race twice per weekend, tackling two distances or styles within their discipline—think 100m and 200m for sprinters, or 800m and 1500m for mid-distance runners. This “doubling” forces competitors out of their comfort zones, setting the stage for unexpected showdowns. It’s a fantasy league come to life, where sprinters stretch to 400m and hurdlers drop barriers for flat races, all vying for a $100,000 prize per category.
Kingston’s Highs and Lows
The Kingston opener didn’t disappoint in spotlighting talent. Kenya’s Emmanuel Wanyonyi, fresh off an Olympic 800m gold, stunned the field by outkicking 1500m Olympic medalists Cole Hocker, Josh Kerr, and Yared Nuguse to claim that title, then held strong for the short-distance crown.
Across the track, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, the 400m hurdles world record holder, scorched to an April-best 52.76 seconds, later adding the flat 400m to her haul and pocketing $100,000. These early-season feats underscored GST’s ability to draw top performances when most athletes are still shaking off rust.
Unexpected Heroes
The format’s magic shone when underdogs seized the day. France’s Sasha Zhoya danced his way to a short-hurdles title, blending a 110m hurdles podium spot with a 100m win, his joy radiating through the sparse crowd. Bahrain’s Salwa Eid Naser also turned heads, edging out Olympic champs Gabby Thomas and Marileidy Paulino in a blistering 400m. These upsets hinted at the rivalries Johnson dreams of—moments where the script flips and new stars emerge.
The Flip Side: Tactical Trudges
Not every race sizzled. The men’s 5000m, won by American Grant Fisher, crawled for nearly 12 laps before a final sprint, clocking a pedestrian 14:39—far from elite standards. Some doubling matchups, like McLaughlin-Levrone’s unchallenged 400m against hurdlers, felt more like solo exhibitions than battles. Johnson insists times don’t matter; it’s about beating the field. But will fans tune in for strategy over speed?
The Bigger Picture
GST’s financial muscle flexed in Kingston, dishing out $3.15 million in prize money—$100,000 per winner and solid checks even for lower placings. Compare that to the Diamond League’s $500,000 average per regular meet, and GST looks like a gold mine for athletes. The payout lured 11 of 17 American Paris medalists in featured events, though big names like Noah Lyles and Sha’Carri Richardson stayed away, perhaps wary of doubling’s demands.
Missing the Crowd
For all its promise, Kingston’s National Stadium echoed with emptiness. The 35,000-seat venue, in a nation mad for track, barely filled, a stark contrast to the raucous atmosphere Johnson envisioned. Smaller venues like Miami’s 5,000-seat Ansin Sports Complex may improve visuals, but Philadelphia’s 50,000-seat Franklin Field looms as a test. Can GST pack stands without marquee absentees?
The Road Ahead
GST’s debut outshines the Diamond League in prize money and U.S. accessibility, while Athlos, a women-only meet, bets on free streaming and celebrity flair. Yet GST’s three-day, doubling-heavy format is a tougher sell than the Diamond League’s single-race allure or Athlos’ compact punch. With $12.6 million in seasonal prizes, GST holds a financial edge, but its quirks—like the 200m splitting sprint categories—need refining.
2026: Make or Break
The real proving ground may be 2026, a rare year without global championships. With fewer conflicts, GST’s cash could lure more stars, especially if it tweaks its model. The looming World Athletics Ultimate Championships, a $10 million showdown, will challenge GST’s niche, but a full season under its belt could solidify its lane.
The Big Question
GST has us talking track in April, a win for visibility ahead of the 2028 LA Olympics. Moments like Wanyonyi’s taunt or Thomas’ collapse hint at its potential to hook fans. Yet the lingering doubt persists: Can a competition-first focus, sans lightning-fast times, sustain interest? Johnson’s gamble is bold, but its success hinges on balancing athlete buy-in, fan engagement, and a format that keeps the drama alive.
Portrait: Emmanuel Wanyonyi won the first step of Grand Slam in Kingston. Photo: Kevin Morris taken from Lets Run
