The star studded line up has been officially announced in the highly anticipated upcoming Philadelphia Slam, scheduled for May 31st and June 1st at the historic Franklin Field.
Grand Slam Track Organizers have officially released the full list of competitors ahead of the two-day meet,, and the announcement comes with headline-grabbing changes.
Earlier on, in a surprise move,GRAND SLAM TRACK (GST) confirmed the withdrawal of several top-tier Racers from the Philadelphia Slam
Fred Kerley (men’s short sprints) – suspended due to pending legal proceedings following a battery charge in Miami. Jamaican track and field athlete ,Oblique Seville (men’s short sprints) – injured. Devon Allen, Luis Grijalva, Jasmine Camacho-Quinn, and Cyrena Samba-Mayela – all unavailable due to undisclosed reasons.
Kerley’s absence in particular sent shockwaves through the sprinting world. The Olympic silver medalist was a marquee name expected to electrify the crowd in Philadelphia. The legal troubles have sidelined him for now. GST emphasized its commitment to integrity by enforcing the suspension, pending resolution of the case.
Coleman Headlines Philadelphia Slam
To fill the void, GST has enlisted Christian Coleman, the 2019 World 100m Champion. Coleman ,whose personal best of 9.76 seconds makes him one of the fastest men in history. He’ll face stiff competition from a star-studded field including:
Andre De Grasse 🇨🇦 – 9.89 , Zharnel Hughes 🇬🇧 – 9.83, Christian Miller 🇺🇸 – 9.93 (set at Franklin Field in 2024 as a high schooler) , Udodi Onwuzurike, Aaron Brown, and Bryan Levell
GST’s announcement also introduced a deep list of Challengers, covering every track discipline with elite-level athletes from around the world. Among the notable names:
Women’s Sprints and Hurdles
Dina Asher-Smith 🇬🇧 – 10.83 (100m), 21.88 (200m), Tamari Davis 🇺🇸 – 10.83 (100m) , Tia Jones 🇺🇸 – 12.19 (100m hurdles) , Dalilah Muhammad 🇺🇸 – 51.58 (400m hurdles) ,
Women’s Distance Events
Addy Wiley 🇺🇸 – 1:56.83 (800m), 3:59.17 (1500m) , Ejgayehu Taye 🇪🇹 – 8:19.52 (3000m) , Nia Akins, Abbey Caldwell, and Georgia Bell also join the 800m and 1500m fields
Men’s Sprints and Hurdles
Cordell Tinch 🇺🇸 – 12.87 (110m hurdles) , Trevor Bassitt 🇺🇸 – 47.38 (400m hurdles) , Jevaughn Powell, Alexander Ogando, Matthew Boling – long sprints
Men’s Distance Events
Hobbs Kessler 🇺🇸 – 1:43.64 (800m), 3:29.45 (1500m) , Edwin Kurgat 🇰🇪 – 7:28.53 (3000m) , Graham Blanks, Ky Robinson, and Nico Young will also challenge in long distance
Two-Day Format for Maximum Impact
Unlike the single-day Miami Slam, GST’s Philadelphia edition will run across two days, allowing for more competitive depth, athlete recovery, and a festival-like experience for fans. This format is part of GST’s long-term vision to elevate track and field into a mainstream, fan-first sport.
Founded by sprint icon Michael Johnson, the Grand Slam Track series is quickly becoming a game-changer in the world of athletics. With a fast-paced format, dynamic storytelling, and top-tier competition, the Philadelphia Slam is expected to build on the momentum of the inaugural Miami meet.
Even amid last-minute changes, GST has maintained its promise: delivering world-class races featuring the planet’s fastest athletes.
