Four-time Olympic champion Michael Johnson has chosen Kingston, Jamaica, as the launchpad for his ambitious new athletics league, Grand Slam Track. In an exclusive interview with Jamaicans.com, Johnson shared why this moment marks more than just a sporting event—it’s a celebration of legacy, culture, and a bold vision for the future of track and field.
Honouring a Global Sprinting Powerhouse
Jamaica’s outsized impact on track and field is no secret. But Johnson points out that while the island produces some of the world’s most celebrated athletes, no global league has ever truly acknowledged that legacy by hosting a major international event there.
“We wanted to honour the contribution Jamaica has had to the sport over decades,” Johnson explained. “No better place than Kingston to blend music, food, culture, and the sport in one compelling festival of speed.”
Grand Slam Track isn’t just about competition. It is also about reimagining how and where world-class athletics is showcased.
A League Model Fit for the Modern Era
Grand Slam Track introduces a new model for professional track and field—one designed to offer athletes more consistent, high-stakes competition beyond the Olympic cycle.
Unlike traditional meets, the Grand Slam league features:
- A roster of 48 elite athletes signed to the series
- Guaranteed base salaries and record-breaking prize money, including US$100,000 for first place and US$10,000 for eighth
- Global broadcast distribution, reaching audiences in over 100 countries
“This is the exclusive home for the fastest people on the planet,” said Johnson. “We’re creating something athletes and fans can rely on—not just every four years.”
Jamaica–USA Rivalry: A Defining Dynamic
Reflecting on his early career, Johnson recalled facing Jamaican sprint legends like Raymond Stewart and Bert Cameron during collegiate competitions in the United States. The longstanding rivalry between Jamaica and the US, he noted, is one of the most captivating in sport.
“When you’ve got a country of three million people regularly outperforming one with 300 million, that’s something special,” he said. “It’s a friendly rivalry—until you’re on social media. Then it gets very real.”
Moving Beyond Star-Driven Spectacles
Though Johnson remains a fan of generational icons like Usain Bolt—who famously broke his 200m world record—he is cautious about over-relying on star power to carry the sport.
“Track and field needs structure and competition—not just a once-in-a-decade superstar,” he explained. “We enjoyed the Bolt era, but now we’re building something sustainable. Grand Slam is about the ongoing competition between the best of the best.”
Supporting the Next Generation
Johnson also revealed that the Grand Slam event in Kingston will feature a collaboration with Jamaica’s Boys and Girls Athletics Championships, known locally as ‘Champs’. The aim is to integrate emerging youth athletes into the world-class meet, giving them a chance to shine on a global stage.
Beyond that, Johnson confirmed plans to support grassroots athletics through equipment donations and programme funding in host cities, including Kingston, Miami, Philadelphia and Los Angeles.
“We’ve already worked with the Government of Jamaica to refurbish the National Stadium track,” he said. “But we’re also looking at how we can uplift the sport at every level, from elite performance to local youth development.”
A Hypothetical Dream Relay Team
Asked to assemble a fantasy 4x100m relay team of two Jamaicans and two Americans, Johnson offered a line-up that speaks to both excellence and wit:
- Maurice Greene (USA) on lead-off
- Usain Bolt (Jamaica) on second leg
- Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce (Jamaica) on third
- Florence Griffith-Joyner (USA) on anchor
Johnson joked that he would place the Americans on the first and anchor legs, leaving the middle legs to the Jamaicans—because, as he laughingly admitted, he doesn’t trust the Americans with the baton exchanges.
Kingston Debut
Grand Slam Track makes its debut in Kingston from 4–6 April 2025 at the National Stadium. The event will broadcast globally, including on Peacock and CW in the US, and Eurosport and TNT in the UK and Europe.
“If you love watching the Olympics, you’ll love Grand Slam Track,” said Johnson. “We’re bringing you the best athletes, competing head-to-head, with real stakes and incredible energy.”
For Jamaican fans at home and abroad, the message is clear: this is not just an event to witness—it’s a moment to own. Get your tickets here.
Cover photo contributed
