Olympic champion Noah Lyles has fired back at criticism from Michael Johnson after opting out of the new Grand Slam Track series.
The inaugural Grand Slam Track event is underway, with two legs already completed—the first in Kingston, Jamaica and the second in Miami.
The series boasts an impressive lineup, featuring nine Olympic champions and 28 medalists from the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympics, filling more than half of the 48 available slots as reported by Mirror.
Yet, despite a $100,000 prize for event winners, some of track and field’s biggest stars—including 100m Olympic champion Noah Lyles, relay gold medalist Sha’Carri Richardson, and 800m Olympic champion Keely Hodgkinson, declined invitations to compete.
Michael Johnson’s criticism & Lyles’ response
The legendary sprinter and founder of Grand Slam Track Michael Johnson, has repeatedly criticized Lyles for skipping the event. But the six-time World Champion didn’t stay silent, hitting back with concerns over the league’s sponsorship and long-term viability.
“Money is not the thing that’s going to drive me every time,” Lyles said.
“Truthfully, even now, looking at it—OK, we’re two months out, and I’m asking, who are your outside sponsors? Who are your non-track and field sponsors? I haven’t even heard of a title sponsor. I want to hear, is there a watch deal? A betting company getting involved? Where are these other things that being in the U.S. provides you with? America is the best marketing factory, so I want to see those companies involved. And I haven’t heard anything.”
Johnson’s stance
Despite the high-profile absences, Johnson remains confident in Grand Slam Track’s vision but admits he wants the best competitors on board.
“We want all of the fastest people to come in. But that’s on them,” Johnson said.
The three-day event format pits 48 athletes against 48 challengers, with competitors earning points and cash prizes. While the $100,000 top prize far exceeds the Diamond League’s payouts, some athletes cited scheduling conflicts as their reason for skipping.
However, Lyles’ critique goes deeper,questioning whether the league has secured the corporate backing needed to elevate the sport beyond just prize money.
Grand Slam Track’s financial incentives are undeniably attractive, but Lyles’ comments highlight a larger issue in track and field: Can a new league succeed without major sponsors and marketing power?
As the series continues, the absence of stars like Lyles and Richardson raises questions about its ability to draw casual fans and big-name endorsements.
