Former world 200m and 400m record-holder tells BBC why his new Grand Slam Observe collection options runners solely
Michael Johnson believes his new Grand Slam Observe occasions in 2025 have the potential to save lots of “observe” however not “observe and subject”.
The primary assembly takes place in Kingston, Jamaica, on April 4 subsequent 12 months adopted by Miami, Philadelphia and Los Angeles. However it options operating occasions solely, which has drawn criticism.
“I really like this sport,” he instructed BBC on Wednesday (Nov 27). “However I’ve had time to reconcile the truth that if we proceed to simply do the identical factor, inform folks that ‘it’s best to love this’ or ‘it’s best to perceive this’ – that doesn’t work.
“Grand Slam Observe is observe, that’s what we’re doing. I’m going to save lots of what I feel I can save; I feel I can save observe, I don’t assume I can save observe and subject.
“Placing the 2 collectively works on the Olympics and World Championships, however I’m unsure it really works if you’re attempting to create knowledgeable sport outdoors of these world competitions.”
He added: “My goal is to make the game of observe and subject extra in style however you need to choose your battles to do this.
“Primarily based on right now’s viewers, in case you have been going to construct a sport then you wouldn’t construct ‘observe and subject’ as a result of it will not work. It doesn’t work to have 4 or 5 multi function and to then name it one sport, as a result of that’s what observe and subject is.
“There’s no similarity in any respect between pole vaulters and sprinters or shot putters and triple jumpers. As a sport it’s very tough to vary that however with us (Grand Slam Observe) coming from the surface and creating one thing very new, we are able to change it.
“We would have liked to get round a single narrative. Solely the quickest is that narrative. Whether or not we are able to finally create one thing for the sector occasions for right now’s viewers is to be decided and I’d love to have the ability to try this, however they’re very totally different occasions.”
Johnson, 57, believes subject occasions will not be television-friendly because of the size of time they take to finish.
Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone (Getty)
Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, Josh Kerr and Matt Hudson-Smith are among the many athletes who’ve signed as much as the collection up to now with newer signings together with sprinters Gabby Thomas and Daryll Neita.
Nonetheless, large names like Jakob Ingebrigtsen, Femke Bol and Keely Hodgkinson haven’t signed. Or not but anyway.
“My goal is to create the alternatives that athletes have at all times wished and to place them on a stage that’s worthy of their greatness, with races that imply one thing,” Johnson continued.
“To try this you need to have the perfect competing towards one another. That’s what is compelling concerning the greatest sports activities on the earth. That’s what we’re creating.
“We wish to create just a little bit extra jeopardy, larger stakes and higher narrative.”
Johnson additionally desires to make sure rivals are rewarded financially as in addition to a $12.6m prize pot, 48 contracted ‘racers’ will obtain a base wage to compete in any respect 4 slams.
At every slam the racers are joined by 48 challengers in one among six teams of women and men – they’re brief and lengthy sprints, brief and lengthy hurdles, and brief and lengthy distance – with every athlete operating in two occasions.
Athletes obtain factors for his or her ending place in each races. The mixed outcomes decide every slam’s champion – and the recipient of $100,000.
(Getty)
The collection has additionally drawn gentle criticism for being very US-centric however Johnson says this was a part of his plan. Responding to latest claims by UK Athletics that the British governing physique turned down the chance to become involved, he mentioned: “UK Athletics didn’t decline to have a Grand Slam Observe occasion. We engaged with 10 cities across the globe and we determined for 12 months one which we wished to focus our vitality on the US.
“We’ll proceed to have interaction with cities. As we glance to increase and rotate, that [a UK event] actually can be a risk.”
Grand Slam Observe additionally finds itself in competitors with established occasions just like the Diamond League circuit. World Athletics has additionally not too long ago been creating new occasions reminiscent of its World Athletics Final Championships in 2026 and there’s discuss of a brand new treadmill world championships.
“We now have had quite a few conversations with World Athletics and we have now listened to numerous what they’ve mentioned over time,” mentioned Johnson.
“They wish to develop the game within the US, for athletes to be paid extra, to encourage extra innovation within the sport.
“Once we sat right down to construct Grand Slam Observe we listened to that – we constructed Grand Slam Observe to do all these issues.”
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The submit Michael Johnson: “I feel I can save observe, however not observe and subject” appeared first on AW.
