If you follow track and field, Tara Davis-Woodhall needs no introduction. She’s the queen of the long jump, an Olympian, NCAA champion, U.S. champ, and an athlete who always brings sparkle and energy to every sandpit she leaps into. But this time, the headlines weren’t just about her jumps, they were about her absence from a bold new track league
Left Off Michael Johnson’s Roster
The story took off when legendary sprinter Michael Johnson announced his high-profile Grand Slam Track (GST) series. Billed as a fresh, elite competition for track and field, GST promised fast times, big names, and new fan engagement, but with one glaring omission: no field events.
That meant no long jump. No shot put. No discus. And no Tara Davis-Woodhall.
When pressed about the decision, Johnson told BBC Sport.
“I think I can save track, I don’t think I can save track and field.”
That didn’t sit well with Tara, or the wider track and field community. She called him out directly on her X(Formerly Twitter).
“Michael, you are ruining the sport if you are trying to save just track… it’s track and field for a reason.”
Her husband, Paralympic gold medalist Hunter Woodhall, also joined the criticism, questioning Johnson’s motives and suggesting this was more about personal branding than truly uplifting the sport.
A New Stage for Field Stars
But rather than waiting for an invite to someone else’s party, Tara made a power move. Enter Athlos, a women-first track and field event series founded by Alexis Ohanian, Reddit co-founder and husband to Serena Williams.
Athlos, which debuted in 2024, aimed to elevate athletes with world-class entertainment, visibility, and prize money. Its only flaw, lack of field events.
That changed for the 2025 edition. When Athlos announced the women’s long jump would officially be part of the program, Tara didn’t hesitate. She signed on and headlined.
For Tara, this isn’t just about winning medals, it’s about rewriting the rules of engagement in the sport she loves. In a recent Cosmopolitan interview, she explained
“I just want this sport to be elevated back to where it used to be… I’m trying to change it and let people see it and put a different scope on what track and field is and share the many inspiring stories it has to offer.”
Why This Matters for Track and Field
Even though field events demand as much grit, skill, and charisma as the 100-meter dash, they’ve often been pushed aside in favor of sprinting showdowns. It’s a pattern the sport has struggled with for decades.
Yet, field events have produced some of track and field’s most iconic moments. Tara’s 7.10-meter leap to claim gold at the 2024 Paris Olympics, making her only the fourth American woman to do so. She’s proven she belongs on every marquee. The question isn’t whether Tara Davis-Woodhall is marketable, it’s why the system keeps failing to properly showcase athletes like her.
A New Era on the Horizon
The back-and-forth between Johnson and Tara sparked a broader conversation about the future of athletics: Can the sport truly evolve if it sidelines half its disciplines
Johnson later clarified that while GST’s initial focus is on track events to build financial appeal and fan interest, he’s open to including field events down the line.
“My mission is to elevate the sport… It’s not easy and won’t happen overnight, but we will succeed with your continued support,” Johnson said.
But the takeaway here isn’t just about one league or one athlete. It’s about reimagining the sport for a new generation. If track and field is to grow, it needs to embrace its diversity, the sprinters and the jumpers, the hurdlers and the throwers, the established stars and the rising trailblazers.
Tara Davis-Woodhall isn’t just asking for a seat at the table. She’s building a whole new one. And thanks to platforms like Athlos, the sport might finally be ready for it.
