The Government of Jamaica has welcomed the announcement by Michael Johnson to bring the Grand Slam Track series to the island naming Kingston as one of the four cities that will host the event in 2025.

The much-anticipated series with prize monies totalling US$12.6m will see 96 athletes divided as Racers and Challengers competing in the series.

Minister of Sports Olivia Grange who was at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel for the launch of the event, said: “Let me begin by giving the endorsement of the Government of Jamaica to Grand Slam Track. I think this is such a great idea, the world’s best runners competing in four elite events each year in front of the best audiences in the world. The best part of the idea is that one of the slams will take place in Jamaica—the home of the best athletes, including our country’s greatest athletics son, the world’s greatest athlete, the incomparable Usain Bolt.”

The minister pointed out that because of Usain and the plethora of World and Olympic champions over the years, Jamaica is firmly established as the sprint capital of the world.

“It was therefore an easy decision by all involved that Jamaica should be at the heart of this new league that will celebrate the fastest runners in the world. Grand Slam Track fits well into our Government’s deliberate sports development thrust which aims to position Jamaica as the best country to participate in, watch and talk about sport,” she reiterated.

Grange also noted that Grand Slam Track represents another win in the country’s sports development thrust joining the Jamaica Invitational, Racers Grand Prix, the National Championships, and the big one, Boys and Girls Champs which she invited Johnson to attend.

She added: “Grand Slam Track proposes to elevate competition in sprinting to another level and we’re here for it. As we redevelop the National Stadium, we will build on our capability to host major international sporting events, including Grand Slam Track.  Our aim is that the Jamaica Grand Slam should be the most exciting, the most anticipated, the most enjoyable, simply the best. I commend Michael Johnson and his team for this exciting new initiative, which I think will revolutionise things. I really feel like we’re on the cusp of major change for our sport with this Grand Slam.”

Three Jamaicans Roshawn Clarke (400h), Rushell Clayton (400h) and Ackera Nugent (110h) have been signed for the series. The 48 athletes are selected by the Grand Slam Track Racing Committee based on a combination of factors to include the fastest and best racers in each race group, with a focus on fierce rivalries and thrilling competitive racing. 

They will receive an annual base compensation for racing in each Slam and are eligible for full prize money. These Grand Slam Track Racers will receive annual contracts, access to the Grand Slam Track content and data services team, inclusion in the league collective, group licensing and new revenue opportunities, plus access to world-class athlete support services throughout the season. 

The remaining 48 racers will be known as Grand Slam Track Challengers and will be paid a set appearance fee to compete at individual Slams. Grand Slam Track Challengers are chosen by the Grand Slam Track Racing Committee based on a combination of factors, including recent performances, and the most intriguing athletes and matchups.

Racers and Challengers will be assigned to compete in one of the following categories, and will all race in two events during each Slam: Short sprints (100m/200m), short hurdles (100H or 110H/100m), long sprints (200m/400m), long hurdles (400H/400m), short distance (800m/1500m), or long distance 3000m/5000m). All competitors’ final placement scores will be determined by their combined finishing order between the two races.

Should there be a tie across the two events, the athlete who had the quickest combined time across the two races will be deemed the winner. The winner of each Slam group will take home US$100,000 in prize money, and the 8th-place competitor will earn US$10,000. 

Grand Slam Track will have a total of US$12.6m of prize money that will be awarded across the slams each year in addition to the base compensation and appearance fees paid to racers.

The focus of Grand Slam Track is on head-to-head competition, not winning times. There will be no rabbits or pacing lights. Each Slam is equally as important as any other, will have its own prize purse, and will be independently scored, with points and previous finishes not carrying over to the following Slams.

All racers will compete twice over the three-day event, and all Slam events will meet World Athletics regulations, with achieved marks being eligible for rankings and standards. Racers will compete in their own sponsored kits, without traditional hip numbers or bibs. Racers and Challengers are encouraged to work with their sponsors to create customized kits, in their own desired style.