Despite overcast skies, Grand Slam Track lit up Franklin Field in Philadelphia over the weekend with packed stands, world-leading performances, and a charged atmosphere that left Commissioner Michael Johnson beaming with pride.
“Oh no, it’s great. We couldn’t be more pleased,” Johnson said in a post-event interview following Sunday’s finale at Franklin Field. “Kingston was great, Miami was better, and now Philly was even better. That’s exactly what you want—just like when you’re an athlete—continuous improvement.”
The two-day meet, the third stop on the Grand Slam Track calendar, drew thousands of fans who braved the gloomy weather to witness elite competition across sprints and hurdles. From the crowd response to the quality of performances, the Philadelphia leg cemented the series' status as a must-watch in the global track and field calendar.
“Just like athletes, we as a team have to keep our heads down, stay focused and continue to get better,” Johnson added. “We know where we’re going. We know what our goals are. We know what we need to be focused on.”
The action on the track mirrored that focus. Melissa Jefferson-Wooden produced a stunning world-leading 10.73 in the women’s 100m, while Kenny Bednarek surged to a 9.86 in the men’s equivalent—also the fastest time in the world this year. Jamaican star Ackera Nugent electrified the meet with a double victory in the 100m hurdles and 100m flat, holding off Olympic champion Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone to capture her second straight $100,000 Grand Slam title.
There was also a breakthrough moment for Jamal Britt, who claimed the men’s 110m hurdles crown and top prize in his Grand Slam Track debut. Johnson pointed to that race as his favourite of the weekend.
“That race was effort,” he said. “It’s hard to choose one—we had so many amazing races. But that one really stood out.”
With another sell-out crowd, world-class performances, and a steadily growing global buzz, Grand Slam Track continues to deliver on its bold promise: to revolutionize the professional track and field experience. And for Johnson and his team, the mission remains simple—keep improving