Athletics

“It’s time to highlight this country for its excellence in the sport of track,” says Johnson on decision to select Kingston for first ever Grand Slam Track event

By November 11, 2024
Michael Johnson speaking at the Monday's Press Conference at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel in Kingston, Jamaica. Michael Johnson speaking at the Monday's Press Conference at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel in Kingston, Jamaica. Marlon Reid

Grand Slam Track is the newest innovation in a sport that has been in desperate need for a jolt in electricity for some time.

Founded by former World record holder in both the 200m and 400m, Michael Johnson, the four-slam series will see some of the world’s best athletes competing against each other consistently, something fans of the sport of track and field have only come to expect every four years at the Olympic Games.

So far, only two of the four host cities for 2025’s inaugural season have been announced, Los Angeles and Kingston.

On Monday, it was announced that Jamaica’s National Stadium will host the first ever Grand Slam event from April 4-6 next year.

Johnson, as well as members of the Grand Slam Track team, was on hand at a press conference at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel on Monday to offer more insight on why Kingston has been chosen as the first city.

“We’ve all watched the incredible success of Jamaican racers and we want to shine a light on that greatness as a top destination for major sporting events,” Johnson said.

“Jamaican athletes have represented this country in an amazing way around the globe for years and it’s time to come back here and highlight the country for its excellence in the sport of track,” he added.

He went further: “Jamaica has truly earned its place as one of the pre-eminent track and field countries in the world. This country has punched far above its weight on the global stage when it comes to track so, for us, it’s only fitting that we progress on track with a new professional series that has immediately catapulted itself to the top of our sport,” he said.

“It’s only fitting that we honour that excellence in track that Jamaica has always represented and continues to represent,” Johnson added.

The four-time Olympic champion also reminisced on his first time competing in Jamaica, joking with the crowd that it might show his age.

“I ran at the National Stadium back in 1989 and 1990 at the Mutual Life Games. That was the first time I ever left the USA. I came here to compete and I’ve been inspired ever since as the sprint capital of the world,” Johnson said.

The other two host cities will be announced later this week.

 

 

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