Track Legend Michael Johnson Blast Flawed System That Inspired Grand Slam Track

Olympic track legend Michael Johnson has revealed a deeper inspiration behind the founding of Grand Slam Track.

The former Olympic champion and world record holder remains an influential figure in the sport, especially with his newly founded track league.

The former American sprinter has recently opened up about his motivation for revolutionizing track, particularly in two of the most actively engaged countries—USA and Jamaica.

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Johnson was responding to a fan who shared a perspective about the state of track in Jamaica.

"If American athletes complain every year about lacking support and having to work 9–5 jobs while being pro athletes, why do we think JAMAICA can find the money to pay all our athletes a livable wage? This is a broke sport in a 3rd world economy. Be realistic," wrote a user on X.

The Grand Slam Track founder took the opportunity to shed more light on how the state of track inspired his league venture.

"Problem is a system where hundreds of athletes train for a whole year to compete for 1 of 3 spots to represent their country in 1 global championship where they only get paid if they win 1 of 3 medals. That’s why I started @GrandSlamTrack," wrote Johnson.

The inaugural track league has already had a successful first Slam in Jamaica, where the likes of Gabby Thomas, Kenny Bednarek, and Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone were crowned champions, each pocketing a handsome $100,000.

The league has been commended for revolutionizing the sport with bumper packages for track athletes.

Following the Jamaican leg, Grand Slam Track heads to Miami, where the likes of Olympic champion Masai Russell is poised to make her debut.

The league will then continue to Philadelphia before culminating in Los Angeles.