Grand Slam Track#Women 2
{{Short description|Professional track and field league}}
{{Infobox sports league
| last_season =
| upcoming_season =
| sport = Athletics
| logo = Grand Slam Track.png
| pixels =
| founded = 2024
| inaugural =
| title =
| current_season = 2025 Grand Slam Track
| website = [https://www.grandslamtrack.com/ Grand Slam Track]
| teams =
| continent =
| champion =
| champ_season =
| most_champs =
| most successful club =
}}
Grand Slam Track is a professional track and field league, first announced in 2024 by American former Olympic champion sprinter Michael Johnson. The first season ran from April to June 2025. After being initially announced in February 2024, the name of the league and other details were announced at a June 2024 press conference in Los Angeles hosted by John Anderson.{{cite web |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/parasjan/2024/04/25/all-you-need-to-know-about-the-30m-funding-for-the-track-and-field-league-backed-by-michael-johnson/? |website=Forbes |access-date=May 2, 2024 |title=Michael Johnson Secures $30 Million For A New Track And Field League |date=April 25, 2024 |first=Paras |last=Jan}}
Development
Former sprinter Michael Johnson, who had had the idea for Grand Slam Track since the 1990s, announced in February 2024 his intention to launch a track and field league in 2025. It was announced that the league would include a series of events during the track season between April and September, though events ended up only running through June.{{cite web |url=https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Articles/2024/04/23/michael-johnson-secures-investment-new-track-league?publicationSource=morningbuzz&issue=f7073a862599495c8347cfb24573b04e#:~:text=Olympic%20champion%20Michael%20Johnson%20has,be%20the%20league's%20operating%20partner |website=Sport Business Journal |access-date=May 2, 2024 |title=Michael Johnson secures funds for new track league |first=Rachel |last=Axon |date=April 23, 2024}}{{cite web |title=The new global league by legendary sprinter Michael Johnson |url=https://www.grandslamtrack.com/events |access-date=March 27, 2025 |website=Grand Slam Track}} Johnson, along with billionaire hedge fund manager Bill Ackman, were reported to be investing millions of their own money in the league.{{cite web |url=https://www.essentiallysports.com/us-sports-news-olympics-news-track-and-field-news-track-legend-michael-johnson-splurges-fourteen-million-of-net-worth-on-exclusive-project-to-benefit-sport/ |website=Essentially Sports |access-date=May 2, 2024 |title=Track Legend Michael Johnson Splurges $14 Million of Net Worth on Exclusive Project to Benefit Sport |date=February 27, 2024 |first=Zahid |last=Rashid Dar}}{{cite news |last=Bachman |first=Rachel |date=June 18, 2024 |title=Michael Johnson Has a Plan to Save Track. He Wants to Make It More Like Tennis. |url=https://www.wsj.com/sports/olympics/michael-johnson-grand-slam-track-sydney-mclaughlin-levrone-d70e6833 |work=The Wall Street Journal}}
The announcement of the League in February 2024 came with the stated aims to increase and boost the sport of track and field in public consciousness and to promote the sport outside the four-yearly cycle of Olympic Games.{{cite web |last=Jackson |first=Eric |date=February 27, 2024 |title=Michael Johnson, Winners Alliance to Create Fan-Focused Track League |url=https://www.sportico.com/business/sports/2024/michael-johnson-winners-alliance-track-league-1234768226/ |access-date=May 2, 2024 |website=Sportico.com}} One of the aims is for the Track and Field League to resemble other sports leagues, with global athletes.{{cite web |url=https://www.cityam.com/michael-johnson-to-co-found-professional-track-and-field-league/ |website=City AM |access-date=May 2, 2024 |date=February 27, 2024 |title=Michael Johnson to co-found professional track and field league |first=Matt |last=Hardy}} As opposed to once every four years like the Olympic Games, the Grand Slam Track league will occur four times every year.
In May 2024, former middle-distance runner Kyle Merber confirmed he was employed as Senior Director of Racing.{{cite web |url=https://www.essentiallysports.com/us-sports-news-olympics-news-track-and-field-news-olympic-legend-michael-johnsons-thirty-million-dollars-backed-unnamed-track-league-secures-support-from-decorated-american-athlete/ |website=Essentially Sports |title=Olympic Legend Michael Johnson's $30 Million-Backed 'Unnamed' Track League Secures Support From Decorated American Athlete |date=May 1, 2024 |first=Christaline |last=Meyers |access-date=May 2, 2024}} Olympic champion and former sprinter Morolake Akinosun was announced as the Head of Athlete Relations in September 2024.
Among the first athletes to sign-up for the events in June 2024 were double Olympic champion 400 m hurdler Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone and 2023 world champion and 2024 Olympic silver medalist in the 1500 m Josh Kerr.{{cite web |date=June 28, 2024 |title=World Champion Josh Kerr Confirmed For 2025 Grand Slam Track League |url=https://marathonhandbook.com/josh-kerr-grand-slam-track/ |access-date=June 30, 2024}}{{cite web |last=Zeigler |first=Martyn |date=June 27, 2024 |title=lJosh Kerr signs up to Michael Johnson's new Grand Slam Track league |url=https://www.thetimes.com/sport/athletics/article/josh-kerr-signs-up-to-michael-johnsons-new-grand-slam-track-league-qs7cvmwjw |access-date=June 27, 2024 |website=The Times}}{{cite web |date=June 18, 2024 |title=Champion hurdler Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone first to sign with 'Grand Slam Track' |url=https://www.rte.ie/sport/athletics/2024/0618/1455438-champion-hurdler-first-to-sign-with-grand-slam-track/#:~:text=Olympic%20champion%20and%20400%20metres,prize%20money%20across%20the%20events. |access-date=June 27, 2024 |website=RTE}} In September 2024, it was confirmed that Cole Hocker and Yared Nuguse, the 2024 Olympic gold and bronze medalists respectively in the 1500 metres, had signed onto the league.{{cite web |last=Davern |first=John |date=September 4, 2024 |title=Cole Hocker and Yared Nuguse Sign With Grand Slam Track |url=https://www.flotrack.org/articles/12806366-cole-hocker-and-yared-nuguse-sign-with-grand-slam-track |access-date=September 5, 2024 |website=FloTrack}} During this month sprinters Kenny Bednarek and Fred Kerley also signed onto the league.{{cite web |last=Dragon |first=Tyler |title=Michael Johnson's Grand Slam Track adds two more Olympic medalists |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/olympics/2024/09/12/michael-johnson-grand-slam-track-adds-olympic-medalists-fred-kerley-kenny-bednarek/75177249007/ |access-date=September 12, 2024 |website=USA TODAY}}
On 13 September 2024, LetsRun.com reported that the Grand Slam Track meet locations would be in Los Angeles, New York City, Kingston, Jamaica, and Birmingham, with the events being held during two weeks in April and two weeks in May, noting that they had not yet confirmed the information with a second source.{{cite web |time=25:24 |title=SC: Jakob back on top, half on Sunday, Sha'carri fades, Blake beats Americans, Brussels Day 1 |publisher=LetsRun.com |date=September 13, 2024 |url=https://podcast.letsrun.com/episode/63ce8a0f/sc-jakob-back-on-top-half-on-sunday-sha-carri-fades-blake-beats-americans-brussels-day-1 |url-access=subscription}} In November 2024, Grand Slam Track officially announced the four locations as Kingston, Los Angeles, Miramar, and Philadelphia.{{cite web |title=Grand Slam Track Names Host Cities in U.S., Jamaica |url=https://www.sportico.com/leagues/other-sports/2024/grand-slam-track-2025-host-cities-1234810571/ |website=sportico.com |date=November 15, 2024 |access-date=December 19, 2024}}
By 19 December 2024, the entire set of racers for the 2025 season was announced. The roster included 13 individual global gold medalists, although notable omissions included Noah Lyles and Sha'Carri Richardson.{{cite web |title=Massive Track and Field Snub as Noah Lyles and Sha'Carri Richardson Absent From Major Announcement |url=https://www.essentiallysports.com/us-sports-news-track-and-field-news-massive-track-and-field-snub-as-noah-lyles-and-shacarri-richardson-absent-from-major-announcement/ |website=essentiallysports.com |date=December 19, 2024 |access-date=December 19, 2024}}{{cite web |title=Grand Slam Track: All 30 athletes currently signed as Sha'Carri Richardson and Noah Lyles remain missing |url=https://www.pulsesports.ng/athletics/story/grand-slam-track-all-30-athletes-currently-signed-as-shacarri-richardson-and-noah-lyles-remain-missing-2024102501510836110 |website=pulsesports.ng |date=October 25, 2024 |access-date=December 19, 2024}}
On 12 June 2025, it was announced that the Los Angeles Slam was cancelled for various reasons, including the current "geopolitical climate of LA" and a "poor lease agreement with UCLA".{{Cite web |last=Kaplan |first=Daniel |date=2025-06-12 |title=Grand Slam Track Cancels LA Meet as $30M Track Startup Wobbles |url=https://frontofficesports.com/grand-slam-track-cancels-los-angeles-meet/ |access-date=2025-06-12 |website=Front Office Sports |language=en}}
Overview
The league has four "slams," also known as meets, which take place in a season from April through June. In each slam, there are six event categories for males and females, listed below. Each event category features two disciplines that competitors will compete in over the course of a weekend.{{cite web |title=Details and Information About Grand Slam Track |url=https://www.grandslamtrack.com/about |access-date=September 5, 2024 |website=www.grandslamtrack.com}}
For each category, there are eight competitors in total. Four of these are the "Grand Slam Racers," who, at the beginning of the season, make the starting list of each of the four Grand Slam events, for a total of 48 consistent athletes present in each slam (four racers in six categories, male and female). They are chosen based on their world rankings and merits and are among the best in the world. The other four competitors are the "Grand Slam Challengers," who are emerging athletes and are attempting to earn a spot as a Grand Slam Racer for the following season. The Challengers will vary between Grand Slam events based on recent performances and potential matchups.
From first to eighth place, points are distributed as follows for each individual event: 12, 8, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, and 1.{{efn|Points were originally announced in 2024 as 10, 8, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, and 1, but by 2025 before the first Slam, the points system was changed to award 12 points to the winner instead of 10.{{cite web |url=https://athleticsillustrated.com/what-and-who-is-behind-the-new-grand-slam-track-league/ |title=What and who is behind the new Grand Slam Track League? |website=Athletics Illustrated |access-date=April 2, 2025 |date=October 24, 2024}}{{cite web |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sport/athletics/grand-slam-track-explained/ |title=What is Grand Slam Track? New athletics league explained |website=radiotimes.com |access-date=April 2, 2025 |date=April 2, 2025}}}} The athlete with the best combined score between the two events in their category is deemed the winner, or Slam champion, of that specific meet. Should there be a tie, the highest individual finishing placement between the two will win the Slam. If the tie persists, then the lowest combined time is utilized as a tiebreaker.
At the conclusion of the season, one male and one female athlete are crowned the "Racer of the Year" based on their cumulative points earned across all four Slams.
= Event categories =
| class="wikitable"
|+ !Event Category !First Event !Second Event |
| align=center|Short Sprints
|align=center|100 m |align=center|200 m |
| align=center|Short Hurdles
|align=center|100 m hurdles (W) |align=center|100 m flat |
| align=center|Long Sprints
|align=center|200 m |align=center|400 m |
| align=center|Long Hurdles
|align=center|400 m hurdles |align=center|400 m flat |
| align=center|Short Distance
|align=center|800 m |align=center|1500 m |
| align=center|Long Distance{{NoteTag|Changed to 3000 m only at the 2025 Philadelphia Slam|name=}}
|align=center|3000 m |align=center|5000 m |
= Prize money =
The Grand Slam Track league offers a chance for athletes, should they win each of the four{{NoteTag|Three for 2025 season|name=}} Slams in their event category, to win upwards of US$400,000{{NoteTag|US$300,000.00 for 2025 season|name=}} in a single season.{{NoteTag|At the 2025 Philadelphia Slam, prize money was halved for the Long Distance event category, since only one event was contested.|name=}}
| class="wikitable"
!Place !Prize money per slam |
| align="center" |1st
| align="center" |$100,000 |
| align="center" |2nd
| align="center" |$50,000 |
| align="center" |3rd
| align="center" |$30,000 |
| align="center" |4th
| align="center" |$25,000 |
| align="center" |5th
| align="center" |$20,000 |
| align="center" |6th
| align="center" |$15,000 |
| align="center" |7th
| align="center" |$12,500 |
| align="center" |8th
| align="center" |$10,000 |
= Broadcast =
In February 2025, Grand Slam Track announced agreements with The CW, an over-the-air network, and the streaming service Peacock in the United States. All events stream on Peacock, while The CW airs weekend coverage. NBC, whose parent company owns Peacock, also airs a highlight special.{{cite web |date=February 3, 2025 |title=Grand Slam Track™, founded by four-time Olympic champion Michael Johnson, announces media rights partnerships with the Cw network and NBC Sports to present its inaugural season |url=https://www.nbcsports.com/pressbox/press-releases/grand-slam-track-founded-by-four-time-olympic-champion-michael-johnson-announces-media-rights-partnerships-with-the-cw-network-and-nbc-sports-to-present-its-inaugural-season |access-date=February 3, 2025 |website=NBC Sports Pressbox}}
Editions
The league officially launched in June 2024, prior to its 2025 debut season.{{cite web |last=Sim |first=Josh |date=April 24, 2024 |title=Michael Johnson raises more than US$30m for new track league |url=https://www.sportspromedia.com/news/michael-johnson-track-league-investment-agency-hires/ |access-date=May 2, 2024 |website=Sportsmedia.com}}
| class="wikitable"
!Season !Info !Los Angeles Slam |
| rowspan="2" align="center" |2025
| align="center" |Venue, City, Country | align="center" |Independence Park, Kingston, Jamaica | align="center" |Ansin Sports Complex, Miami, USA | align="center" |Franklin Field, Philadelphia, USA | bgcolor=pink align="center" |Drake Stadium, Los Angeles, USA |
| align="center" |Date
| align="center" |April 4–6 | align="center" |May 2–4 | align="center" |May 31 – June 1 | bgcolor=pink align="center" |Cancelled{{Cite web |last=Kaplan |first=Daniel |date=2025-06-12 |title=Grand Slam Track Cancels LA Meet as $30M Track Startup Wobbles |url=https://frontofficesports.com/grand-slam-track-cancels-los-angeles-meet/ |access-date=2025-06-12 |website=Front Office Sports |language=en}}{{NoteTag|Originally scheduled for June 27–29|name=note}} |
Slam winners
Key: {{small|1=(R) = Racer}} / {{small|1=(C) = Challenger}}
= 2025 season =
== Men ==
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
!scope="col"| Event Category !scope="col"| Kingston !scope="col"| Miami !scope="col"| Philadelphia |
| Short Sprints
| colspan="3" | {{Flag athlete|Kenny Bednarek|USA}} {{small|(R)}} | rowspan="6" |{{Flag athlete|Kenny Bednarek|USA}} {{small|(R)}} |
| Short Hurdles
| {{Flag athlete|Sasha Zhoya|FRA}} {{small|(R)}} | {{Flag athlete|Trey Cunningham|USA}} {{small|(C)}} | {{Flag athlete|Jamal Britt|USA}} {{small|(C)}} |
| Long Sprints
| {{Flag athlete|Matthew Hudson-Smith|GBR}} {{small|(R)}} | {{Flag athlete|Jereem Richards|TTO}} {{small|(R)}} | {{Flag athlete|Matthew Hudson-Smith|GBR}} {{small|(R)}} |
| Long Hurdles
| colspan="2" | {{Flag athlete|Alison dos Santos|BRA}} {{small|(R)}} | {{Flag athlete|Trevor Bassitt|USA}} {{small|(C)}} |
| Short Distance
| {{Flag athlete|Emmanuel Wanyonyi|KEN}} {{small|(C)}} | {{Flag athlete|Josh Kerr|GBR}} {{small|(R)}} | {{Flag athlete|Marco Arop|CAN}} {{small|(R)}} |
| Long Distance
| colspan="2" | {{Flag athlete|Grant Fisher|USA}} {{small|(R)}} | {{Flag athlete|Nico Young|USA}} {{small|(C)}} |
== Women ==
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
!scope="col"| Event Category !scope="col"| Kingston !scope="col"| Miami !scope="col"| Philadelphia |
| Short Sprints
| colspan="3" | {{Flag athlete|Melissa Jefferson-Wooden|USA}} {{small|(R)}} | rowspan="6" |{{Flag athlete|Melissa Jefferson-Wooden|USA}} {{small|(R)}} |
| Short Hurdles
| {{Flag athlete|Danielle Williams|JAM}} {{small|(C)}} | colspan="2" | {{Flag athlete|Ackera Nugent|JAM}} {{small|(R)}} |
| Long Sprints
| {{Flag athlete|Gabrielle Thomas|USA}} {{small|(R)}} | colspan="2" | {{Flag athlete|Marileidy Paulino|DOM}} {{small|(R)}} |
| Long Hurdles
| colspan="2" | {{Flag athlete|Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone|USA}} {{small|(R)}} | {{Flag athlete|Jasmine Jones|USA}} {{small|(R)}} |
| Short Distance
| {{Flag athlete|Diribe Welteji|ETH}} {{small|(R)}} | {{Flag athlete|Freweyni Hailu|ETH}} {{small|(C)}} | {{Flag athlete|Diribe Welteji|ETH}} {{small|(R)}} |
| Long Distance
| {{Flag athlete|Ejgayehu Taye|ETH}} {{small|(C)}} | {{Flag athlete|Agnes Jebet Ngetich|KEN}} {{small|(R)}} | {{Flag athlete|Agnes Jebet Ngetich|KEN}} {{small|(R)}} |
League records
Key: {{small|1=(R) = Racer}} / {{small|1=(C) = Challenger}}
= Men =
| class="wikitable"
!scope="col"| Event !scope="col"| Record !scope="col"| Athlete !scope="col"| Nation !scope="col"| Date !scope="col"| Slam !scope="col"| Ref |
| align="center" | 100 m
| align="center" | 9.86 {{Wind|+0.8}} | Kenny Bednarek {{small|(R)}} | {{flagu|United States}} | 1 June 2025 |
| align="center" | 200 m
| align="center" | 19.84 {{Wind|+0.2}} | Kenny Bednarek {{small|(R)}} | {{flagu|United States}} | 4 May 2025 |
| align="center" | 400 m
| align="center" | 43.98 | Jacory Patterson {{small|(C)}} | {{flagu|United States}} | 3 May 2025 |
| align="center" | 800 m
| align="center" | 1:43.38 | Marco Arop {{small|(R)}} | {{flagu|Canada}} | 31 May 2025 |
| align="center" | 1500 m
| align="center" | 3:34.44 | Josh Kerr {{small|(R)}} | {{flagu|Great Britain}} | 1 June 2025 |
| align="center" | 3000 m
| align="center" | 7:51.55 | Hagos Gebrhiwet {{small|(R)}} | {{flagu|Ethiopia}} | 6 April 2025 |
| align="center" | 5000 m
| align="center" | 13:40.32 | Grant Fisher {{small|(R)}} | {{flagu|United States}} | 4 May 2025 |
| align="center" | 110 m hurdles
| align="center" | 13.00 {{Wind|+1.4}} | Trey Cunningham {{small|(C)}} | {{flagu|United States}} | 3 May 2025 |
| align="center" | 400 m hurdles
| align="center" | 47.61 | Alison dos Santos {{small|(R)}} | {{flagu|Brazil}} | 4 April 2025 |
= Women =
| class="wikitable"
!scope="col"| Event !scope="col"| Record !scope="col"| Athlete !scope="col"| Nation !scope="col"| Date !scope="col"| Slam !scope="col"| Ref |
| align="center" | 100 m
| align="center" | 10.73 {{Wind|+1.3}} | Melissa Jefferson-Wooden {{small|(R)}} | {{flagu|United States}} | 1 June 2025 |
| align="center" | 200 m
| align="center" | 21.95 {{Wind|+1.1}} | Gabrielle Thomas {{small|(R)}} | {{flagu|United States}} | 3 May 2025 |
| align="center" | 400 m
| align="center" | 48.67 | Salwa Eid Naser {{small|(R)}} | {{flagu|Bahrain}} | 5 April 2025 |
| align="center" | 800 m
| align="center" | 1:58.23 | Nikki Hiltz {{small|(R)}} | {{flagu|United States}} | 4 April 2025 |
| align="center" | 1500 m
| align="center" | 3:58.04 | Diribe Welteji {{small|(R)}} | {{flagu|Ethiopia}} | 31 May 2025 |
| align="center" | 3000 m
| align="center" | 8:22.72 | Hirut Meshesha {{small|(C)}} | {{flagu|Ethiopia}} | 4 May 2025 |
| align="center" | 5000 m
| align="center" | 14:25.80 | Agnes Jebet Ngetich {{small|(R)}} | {{flagu|Kenya}} | 2 May 2025 |
| align="center" | 100 m hurdles
| align="center" | 12.17 {{Wind|+2.0}} | Masai Russell {{small|(R)}} | {{flagu|United States}} | 2 May 2025 |
| align="center" | 400 m hurdles
| align="center" | 52.07 | Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone {{small|(R)}} | {{flagu|United States}} | 3 May 2025 |
Notes
{{reflist|group=note}}{{Notes}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{Official site|https://www.grandslamtrack.com/}}
{{International athletics}}
Category:Annual athletics series
Category:Sports leagues established in 2024
Category:Track and field in the United States