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Michael Johnson has already been under severe pressure from field athletes like Tara Davis-Woodhall over the absence of field events at his inagural Grand Slam Track.
When Michael Johnson unveiled his bold new project, Grand Slam Track, he promised to inject fresh energy into the sport. His mission was simple: revive track and field at a time when even the Olympic Games were struggling to command the spotlight.
What he didn’t anticipate, however, was the backlash — and it’s coming from the sport’s biggest stars.
One of the most vocal critics? None other than 2024 Paris Olympic long jump champion, Tara Davis-Woodhall. She’s made it clear that Johnson’s focus on track events — while sidelining field disciplines — misses the heart of the sport. And now, another Olympic champion has stepped into the debate, backing her up with some sharp words of his own.
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Gianmarco Tamberi Joins the Chorus of Dissent
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Ahead of the upcoming Grand Slam Track event in Miami, Italian high jumper Gianmarco Tamberi — the reigning Tokyo 2020 Olympic champion, 2023 world champion, and 2024 European champion — didn't hold back.
Responding to a post where Johnson asked fans how to improve the league, Tamberi fired back:
"Man… come on… Without jumps, you can’t do better than what you’re already doing. You’re doing great, for real, it’s not your fault… But track and field without the field is just fu**ing boring."
Tamberi’s comments reflect growing frustration among field athletes, who feel Grand Slam Track’s model ignores half of the sport's identity.
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Johnson’s new league features four high-profile events — Kingston, Miami, Philadelphia, and Los Angeles — and showcases sprints, hurdles, and distance races. While prize money and star power are attracting top talent, the absence of any field events has triggered a heated debate.
Tara Davis-Woodhall had already lit the first spark earlier this year. Back in January, when Johnson first announced that Grand Slam Track would only cater to track races, Davis-Woodhall took to social media to blast the decision:
"It’s track and field for a reason," she reminded him, accusing Johnson of rewriting the narrative to suit his vision.
She went even further, questioning Johnson’s sudden desire to “save” a sport he hadn’t been active in for years.
"If you wanted to change the sport, you would have done it a long time ago," she added.
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Her husband, Paralympic medalist Hunter Woodhall, didn’t stay silent either. He accused Johnson of trying to stir controversy just to stay relevant, saying:
"Stop coming back and just saying wild things to get a rise out of people because no one cares. We’re doing just fine."
Hunter pointed to the success and viewership of recent Olympic Games as proof that track and field wasn’t the problem Johnson was making it out to be.
What’s Next for Grand Slam Track?
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But the skepticism only grew when Grand Slam Track finally kicked off on April 4 in Kingston, Jamaica — sprint capital of the world.
Despite boasting a lineup featuring big names like Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, Gabby Thomas, Masai Russell, and Cole Hocker, the launch fell flat in one major way: the stands were shockingly empty.
Gabby Thomas had the honor of running the league’s first-ever race, but fans quickly noticed the atmosphere. A 35,000-seat stadium with most of the seats glaringly empty didn’t exactly scream "revival."
The brutal reality? No matter how flashy the athletes or how bold the branding, "saving the sport" rings hollow if the crowds aren’t there to see it.
As the league heads into its next chapter, the big question remains: Will Grand Slam Track evolve to include the full breadth of track and field? Or will it continue down a path that leaves half the sport — and many of its biggest stars — feeling left behind?
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