Grand Slam Track Commissioner Michael Johnson has hailed the league’s inaugural event in Kingston as a triumph, praising the high-energy performances and athlete enthusiasm despite the sparse turnout at Jamaica’s National Stadium.
The three-day meet, which followed closely after the ISSA Grace Kennedy Boys and Girls’ Championships, faced challenges in filling seats, with ticket pricing and scheduling likely contributing factors.
Johnson remained overwhelmingly positive, emphasizing the electric atmosphere and the league’s broader impact on the sport.
“You can tell by the smile on my face, it was amazing. It was great. It was fantastic,” Johnson said during Sunday’s post-event press conference.
“The athletes were happy, they can’t stop talking about the experience. The fans loved it. Social media’s been buzzing. It’s all anyone in the track world is talking about, and that’s exactly what we wanted.”
While acknowledging room for improvement, he stressed that the competition itself exceeded expectations, validating the league’s innovative approach.
Michael Johnson pointed to several defining moments from the weekend, including the emotional podium celebrations that symbolized the culmination of months of collaboration with athletes.
“Each moment was special. Some of our Racers I’ve worked with before, and others I met here for the first time. They were all so excited about what we’re building. When they stood on that podium, it was a full-circle moment. We envisioned this together and now it’s real.”
Among the standout performers was Olympic champion Emmanuel Wanyonyi, who delivered a fearless display in the 1500m. Johnson singled him out as a personal favorite, praising his competitive spirit.
“He came into the 1500m unafraid and put on a show. That’s what this league is about, embracing the challenge and competing hard,” Johnson said.
He also confirmed that the league will name a male and female Grand Slam Track Racer of the Year after each circuit of meets, adding another layer of prestige to the competition.
One of the weekend’s most electrifying moments came in the Long Sprint 400m final, where Bahrain’s Salwa Eid Naser blazed to a world-leading 48.67 in a thrilling battle.
A viral clip captured Johnson leaping to his feet in celebration, embodying the raw excitement of the event.
“There’s that clip going around of me looking like an idiot, really! But it was pure magic. It wasn’t just about the time, it was about seeing Olympic champions battling to become Slam champions. The stadium was electric.”
Looking ahead, Johnson is confident that momentum will build as the series moves to Miami, with both athletes and fans now more familiar with the format.
“Now that the athletes have experienced it and fans understand what we’re doing, I think we’ll see even better performances and more engagement,” he said.
He also emphasized the league’s competitive parity, noting that even stars like Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone aren’t guaranteed victories every round.
Interest from elite athletes is already surging, with Johnson revealing that Grand Slam Track’s Director of Racing, Kyle Merber, has been fielding non-stop inquiries.
“Thankfully, it’s not my phone that’s ringing—it’s Kyle’s. And yes, the phone’s been ringing non-stop. Athletes want in.”
While sprint sensation Noah Lyles was absent in Kingston, Johnson playfully issued a challenge, echoing 200m rival Kenny Bednarek’s words.
“The invitation is open. You either come get the smoke or you don’t. It’s up to you.”
Despite the initial hurdles, Johnson believes the foundation has been firmly set.
“We’ve developed something special here,” he said.
“We’ve seen what this format can produce, dramatic finishes, world-class performances, and engaged athletes. We’ll keep tweaking, keep improving. This is just the beginning.”
