JOA President Christopher Samuda (r) with Jamaican sports minister Olivia Grange and GST founder Michael Johnson at the launch of the Jamaican leg of the series at the Jamaica Pegasus in Kingston on Monday.
Marlon Reid
The Jamaica Olympic Association (JOA) has thrown its full support behind the highly anticipated Grand Slam Track series, a pioneering track and field competition created by American Olympic icon Michael Johnson. Kingston’s National Stadium will host the inaugural event from April 4-6, 2025, marking a historic occasion as Jamaica kicks off a global series that merges elite competition with cultural celebration in select cities worldwide.
In endorsing the Grand Slam Track initiative, JOA President Christopher Samuda highlighted the series’ alignment with the evolving nature of sports as both a business and a cultural experience. “The economy of sport is continually diversifying its product offerings,” Samuda said. “This move merits support, for yesterday’s novelty in sport is becoming today’s norm of business innovation in a global enterprise where changing the game has become a pre-requisite of staying in the game and winning the grand slam.”
The Grand Slam Track series promises substantial financial rewards for competitors, a prospect that appeals to both athletes and sports financiers. JOA Secretary General/CEO Ryan Foster outlined the benefits, emphasizing that Grand Slam Track supports the JOA’s vision for sustainable athletic growth. “The grand slam track will not only pay dividends for aspirations invested initially in sweat equity and maturing in bonus payments,” Foster said, “which is a qualitative strategy of the JOA, but, more importantly, the meets will provide self-actualising opportunities for athletes and value for money for fans.”
Beyond the prize money, the JOA sees Grand Slam Track as a platform for continuous, high-level competition, helping athletes prepare for the Olympics by fostering ongoing development through regular, intense matchups. “On the other side of the minted coin of sport, top-ranking athletes will be able to constantly measure performance against character as they compete continually against each other,” Foster explained, adding that it is “in conditioning themselves for the premier event, the Olympic Games,” that athletes will truly benefit from the series.
Drawing inspiration from other global sports formats like tennis and Formula One, Grand Slam Track aims to create an experience that celebrates the culture of each host city. This aspect particularly resonates with the JOA’s vision of sports as a cultural and economic driver. “The concept is allied to the advocacy of the JOA,” Samuda noted, “as we treat sporting events as experiences in physical culture, fan engagement, cuisine, music, entertainment, and tourism—all of which are drivers in creating a viable sports industry.”
The JOA’s backing of Grand Slam Track aligns with its commitment to sports innovation, a mission that led the association to launch the “Olympic Destiny” series in 2021. This JOA initiative was designed to prepare Jamaican athletes for the Tokyo Olympics amid the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Olympic Destiny series offered incentives for athletes and fostered historic performances, including Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce’s national record-setting 10.63s sprint in the 100m. That experience, Samuda pointed out, was “a first in the history of the sport,” underscoring the JOA’s commitment to driving progress and championing local talent on a global stage.
With the JOA’s endorsement, Michael Johnson’s Grand Slam Track is poised to deliver a unique blend of high-stakes competition and cultural celebration, solidifying Jamaica’s position as a host for world-class athletic events and creating a new chapter in track and field’s evolution.
Returning BVIOC president Ephraim Penn charts bold vision for 2025-2028
Returning British Virgin Islands Olympic Committee (BVIOC) President Ephraim Penn sets an ambitious course for the next four years, as he is determined to ensure that sports remain a unifying force in the island.
Re-elected alongside several key incumbents at the organization’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Thursday, Penn pledged to strengthen sports governance and infrastructure while fostering growth and inclusivity across the territory’s sporting landscape.
The AGM, attended by representatives from National Federations (NFs) and the Athletes’ Commission, served as both a reflection on past achievements and a roadmap for the future.
In his address, Penn emphasized the importance of collaboration, innovation, and the alignment of sports initiatives with the International Olympic Charter.
“Our guiding principles will continue to align with the International Olympic Charter: to inspire through sports performance and education; excel by empowering everyone to achieve their best; and foster collaboration through impactful and effective partnerships,” Penn said during the AGM at the BVIOC Office in Tortola.
He also outlined a robust agenda that includes developing a national sports structure aimed at unifying sports governance in the BVI through one-on-one consultations with each NF to assess their status and provide tailored support.
Enhancing aquatic infrastructure, which targets the completion of a 25-metre competition swimming pool to provide athletes with a dedicated space for training and competition, as well as safeguarding athlete well-being, which involves the introduction of a Safeguarding Commission to prioritize athlete safety and welfare.
Additionally, Penn aims to educate and inspire through Olympic values; this academy will be a cornerstone of the BVIOC’s educational outreach via a BVI Olympic Academy, while advancing long-term athlete development will see collaborations with the Department of Youth Affairs and Sports (DYAS) and the Ministry of Health to ensure athletes receive comprehensive support throughout their careers.
Representatives from archery, athletics, basketball, and other sports shared their 2024 highlights, while two new federations—cricket and surfing—were officially accepted into the BVIOC family, signaling the continued diversification of sports in the territory.
“Our open door policy remains in place for all National Federations, and we encourage you to make an appointment to meet with us on Fridays to discuss matters in which we can assist. We look forward to working together for great successes in all sports in the next quadrennial,” Penn added.
BVIOC Executive Committee: President: Ephraim Penn (returning); 1st Vice President: Sabinah Clement (returning); 2nd Vice President: Ashley Kelly (newly elected, former Athletes’ Commission Representative); Secretary General: Lloyd Black (returning); Treasurer: Mark Chapman (returning); Member at Large: Zebalon McLean
Holmwood Technical completes ISSA rural area Netball double; St. Catherine, Wolmer’s Girls win urban area titles
Defending all-island champions Holmwood Technical retained their ISSA rural area Under-19 netball title with a 38-30 victory over Denbigh High in Thursday's decider at the National Indoor Sports Centre.
The May Pen-based won the first quarter 9-8 before the defending champions rallied to lead 15-14 at the half and 37-24 at the end of the third quarter.
The victory for Holmwood completed the double on the day as their Under-16 team had earlier secured the crown with a 21-16 win in an all-Manchester affair over defending champions Manchester High in a repeat of last year's final.
In the urban area final, St Catherine High captured their third straight Under-19 title with a 32-24 win over The Queen's School. The St John's Road-based school led all quarters 11-3, 20-12 and 23-16.
Meanwhile, Wolmer's Girls took the Under-16 crown after beating St Hugh's 27-21 in their decider.
Manchester High defeated Glenmuir 46-44 to claim third place in the rural area Under-19 category while Mile Gully High claimed third in the Under-16 category with a 32-17 win over Titchfield.
In the urban area, Gaynstead High claimed third in both the Under-19 and Under-16 categories with wins over St. Catherine High and Camperdown High, respectively.
They beat St. Catherine 34-19 and Camperdown 37-23.
Tickets for Grand Slam Track™ go on sale today
Tickets for the highly anticipated Grand Slam Track™, the revolutionary global stage for elite track and field competition, go on sale today, December 6, 2024, at 10:00 AM Pacific / 1:00 PM Eastern. Founded by four-time U.S. Olympic champion Michael Johnson, who also serves as the league's commissioner, the event promises to redefine the sport with its inaugural season kicking off in Kingston, Jamaica, in April 2025.
Johnson expressed his excitement about the league’s progress, stating: "Grand Slam Track™ continues to build momentum as we get closer to our inaugural 2025 season. The attention and recognition this league is gaining is incredible, and it continues to be clear that the best in the world want to be a part of it. We’re creating something truly special – a Festival of Speed – for fans to enjoy."
The league will feature 48 top-tier athletes, known as Grand Slam Track™ Racers, competing in all four Slam events: Kingston, Miami, Philadelphia, and Los Angeles. Among the confirmed stars are Jamaicans Ackera Nugent and Roshawn Clarke, alongside global icons such as Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, Fred Kerley, Marileidy Paulino, Grant Fisher, Jasmine Camacho-Quinn, Alison Dos Santos, and Jereem Richards.
Additionally, 48 Grand Slam Track™ Challengers will join individual Slams, selected based on recent performances and intriguing matchups. Racers and Challengers will compete across categories such as short sprints, hurdles, middle distance, and long distance, with each competitor racing twice during the three-day events.
Grand Slam Track™ shifts the focus from time-based performances to head-to-head competition. Unlike traditional meets, there will be no rabbits or pacing lights. Each Slam is independently scored, with a $100,000 prize for the winner of each group and $10,000 for eighth place. A total of $12.6 million in prize money will be awarded annually, alongside base compensation and appearance fees.
The league is also breaking with tradition by allowing athletes to compete in custom kits designed with their sponsors, free from traditional bibs or hip numbers. This unique approach emphasizes individuality and creativity while showcasing the athletes’ personalities.
With over $30 million in financial commitments from investors, including Winners Alliance, the league aims to revolutionize fan engagement and elevate track and field’s biggest stars through innovative storytelling.
Tickets for all four Slams are now available. Fans are encouraged to secure their seats to witness the Festival of Speed and see the world’s best athletes compete on this groundbreaking platform.
For more information and to purchase tickets, visit grandslamtrack.com/events.
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