 — Sundial Media & Technology Group (SMTG), a human connections company and home to iconic brands like ESSENCE, AFROPUNK, and Refinery29, and Grand Slam Track™, the global home of professional track competition, today announced a groundbreaking partnership aimed at revolutionizing the way fans experience and engage with the world of track. Together, the two companies are launching an innovative model that transforms passive viewership into dynamic community-driven interaction—turning fans into active participants in the culture, competition, and storytelling of the sport.

This new multi-year collaboration will fuse SMTG’s deep legacy in culturally connected media with Grand Slam Track™’s pioneering approach to global track competition. SMTG will secure strategic commercial partnerships for Grand Slam Track™’s 2026 season and beyond, with 10% of all related sponsorship sales secured by SMTG paid directly to Grand Slam Track™ Racers. Additionally, Grand Slam Track™, and its signed Racers and Challengers, will be featured and celebrated across SMTG’s entire network of media entities, publications, and brands, with in-person activations at major events, and a spotlight shone on the biggest names in track. 

SMTG will collaborate with Grand Slam Track™ to bring exciting new experiences to tens of thousands of track fans in attendance, and millions watching around the globe. With SMTG’s proprietary technology and Grand Slam Track’s revolutionary compensation structure, this collaboration delivers a new blueprint for equity in track -- scaling storytelling, monetization, and visibility for athletes the same way SMTG has done across media and consumer brands.

“Our partnership with Grand Slam Track™ marks a bold expansion for Sundial Media & Technology Group into the world of sport, where over 100 years of cultural fluency and community wisdom can now fuel a new kind of playbook, ” said 

Kirk McDonald, CEO of Sundial Media & Technology Group

. “True transformation comes when competition meets community. Our new model will turn fans into co-creators, athletes into owners, and track into a stage for immersive cultural experience, all while powering athleticism through equity, access, and storytelling.”

In its inaugural season, Grand Slam Track™ has already rearchitected the competition format of track racing for the modern sports audience—one that values personality alongside performance, and social connection alongside spectacle. Through this new collaboration, fans will gain unparalleled access to athletes' journeys, behind-the-scenes moments, and real-time content that turns every race into a cultural moment. The partnership will center on building a vibrant digital and real-world social ecosystem that elevates Grand Slam Track™ competitors, creates two-way storytelling with fans, and amplifies the sport’s cultural resonance.

“As a sport, track has some of the most compelling athletes in the world—but for too long, fans have been kept at arm’s length,” said 

Michael Johnson, Founder and Commissioner of Grand Slam Track™

. “Grand Slam Track™ set out to change that, and has seen unbelievable support from all around the globe since we launched. Our pilot season has been a huge success, and we’re delighted with the tremendous response we’ve received. Now, looking ahead to our 2026 season with SMTG in our corner, we’re closing that distance between fans and our Racers even further, and revolutionizing this sport through this incredible partnership. We’re not just building a league—we’re building a movement.”

The joint venture will see Grand Slam Track™ solidify its foundations that have been built during its inaugural season, rolling out their 2026 calendar of events in key U.S. cities, plus international locations, and broadcasting and streaming across multiple digital platforms in more than 200 countries and territories worldwide. 

Additionally, Richelieu Dennis, Founder and Chair of The Sundial Group of Companies and Founder and Managing Partner of New Voices Fund, has invested into Grand Slam Track™. Dennis was key in forging the strategic relationship between Grand Slam Track™ and Sundial Media & Technology Group.

Sundial Media & Technology Group (SMTG) is a human connections company — the signal powered by culture, scaled by technology, and built for community. SMTG connects, elevates, and empowers the most influential consumer segment in the market: HER, the Chief Influence Officer. With over 100 years of community knowledge and insights, SMTG is redefining the media model into a next-generation platform. Powered by proprietary intelligence and AI technology, it activates an ecosystem that scales HER influence and economic power. Its portfolio includes some of the most iconic, purpose-driven brands and experiences shaping culture today—ESSENCE (Girls United, ESSENCE Studios, ESSENCE Festival of Culture™), Refinery29, AFROPUNK, Beautycon™ (including NaturallyCurly), the Global Black Economic Forum, the Academy for Advancing Excellence, and the New Voices Fund. Through storytelling, products, and platforms, SMTG delivers the tools and technology to shape the future of media, commerce, and community—on HER terms.

Grand Slam Track™ is the global home of elite track competition founded by four-time Olympic champion Michael Johnson. The league is redefining the landscape of track with a focus on head-to-head competition between the fastest humans on the planet: fostering rivalries, celebrating racing, and putting fans first. The league features a roster of 48 Racers signed to compete in four annual Slams and includes superstars like Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, Gabby Thomas, Melissa Jefferson-Wooden, Grant Fisher, Josh Kerr, Marileidy Paulino, and many more. These Racers compete against 48 Challengers, who vary per Slam; each Slam features the largest and deepest prize purse in the history of the sport. The inaugural Grand Slam Track™ season in 2025 saw Slams take place in Kingston, Jamaica; Miami; Philadelphia. For more information, visit grandslamtrack.com.

Christanna Ciabattoni (Sundial Media & Technology Group)

Grand Slam Track™ and Sundial Media & Technology Group today announced a groundbreaking partnership aimed at revolutionizing the way fans experience and engage with the world of track.

Grand Slam Track™ and Sundial Media & Technology Group Forge Strategic Partnership to Elevate the Sport, Amplify Athlete Voices, and Bring Track Closer to Fans

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Kenny Bednarek outleans Oblique Seville to win the 100m race by .01 second at the National Stadium during the Kingston Grand Slam on April 5th, 2025.

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Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone takes time to sign autographs for dozens of eager fans at the Philadelphia Grand Slam on June 1st, 2025.

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Young fans celebrating in the stands at the National Stadium in Kingston, Jamaica at Grand Slam Track Kingston on April 5th, 2025.

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Anna Hall stands in reflection before her 400m race at Grand Slam Track Miami at Ansin Sports Complex on May 4th, 2025.

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The fans filled up the homestretch to the brim at Ansin Sports Complex during Grand Slam Track Miami on May 3rd, 2025.

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Gabby Thomas fires off the line during the Women’s Short Sprints 100m at Grand Slam Track Miami on May 3rd, 2025.

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Marco Arop celebrates across the finish line as he dominates his third 800m of the year at Grand Slam Track Philadelphia on June 1st, 2025.

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Ludvy Vaillant soars over a hurdle during the Men’s Long Hurdles 400mH at Grand Slam Track Miami on May 2nd, 2025.

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The fans filled up the homestretch to the brim at Franklin Field during Grand Slam Track Philadelphia on May 31st, 2025.

Check out the best images from around the Grand Slam Track Slams during the 2025 Season!

Top 20 Photos from the 2025 Season

 — Grand Slam Track™, the global home of professional track competition today announced the conclusion of its transformational 2025 pilot season. 

The league now turns its attention to building out the 2026 calendar of events to bring Grand Slam Track™ to fans around the world. 

The previously scheduled Los Angeles Slam has been postponed until the 2026 season.

“We are committed to calling Los Angeles home, and look forward to hosting a Slam in LA as part of the 2026 season,” said Michael Johnson, Founder and Commissioner of Grand Slam Track™.

Full refunds will be issued to fans who bought tickets for the 2025 Slam in Los Angeles, which will no longer take place. Refunds will process automatically, and be received within 10-14 business days. Fans with questions on this process should contact the UCLA Box Office directly at jjohnson@tickets.ucla.edu

2025 LA Slam Ticket Refund Information

 — Grand Slam Track™, the global home of professional track competition, founded to bring new energy and opportunity to the sport, today announced the conclusion of its transformational 2025 pilot season. Kenny Bednarek & Melissa Jefferson-Wooden are the inaugural Grand Slam Track™ Racers of the Year, having won three-straight Slam Championships each. The league now turns its attention to building out the 2026 calendar of events to bring Grand Slam Track™ to fans around the world. The previously scheduled Los Angeles Slam has been postponed until the 2026 season.

“The decision to conclude the inaugural Grand Slam Track™ season is not taken lightly, but one rooted in a belief that we have successfully achieved the objectives we set out to in this pilot season, and the importance of looking towards 2026 and beyond,” said Michael Johnson, Founder and Commissioner of Grand Slam Track™. “We launched with a bold vision to reimagine professional track racing and we could not be more excited about what we have accomplished so far, delivering amazing races to a rabid fan base. As we’ve said all along, we were going to have learnings, make adjustments, and continue to improve. Sometimes we have to make moves that aren’t comfortable, but what’s most important is the future and sustainability of the league.” 

“The global economic landscape has shifted dramatically in the past year, and this business decision has been made to ensure our long-term stability as the world’s premier track league. Our attention is now on 2026, with our eyes set on continuing to deliver the best-in-class storytelling, content, and competition that we have become known for in our debut year,” continued Johnson. “We are in conversations with potential host cities - many of whom have already thrown their names in the hat - to build out an exciting calendar of events for our fans across the globe. We are committed to calling Los Angeles home, and look forward to hosting a Slam in LA as part of the 2026 season.” 

“I want to thank all of the incredible athletes who participated in Grand Slam Track™ this season. They are true trailblazers, and will always be known as history-makers in our sport. Congratulations to Kenny and Melissa for writing their names into history as our first ever ‘Racers of the Year.’ They have been great ambassadors for our league, and I look forward to seeing them back competing in Grand Slam Track™ in 2026 and beyond,” concluded Johnson.

Today’s announcement concludes the inaugural Grand Slam Track™ season after three successful Slams in Kingston, Jamaica; Miami, Florida; and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Full refunds will be issued to fans who bought tickets for the 2025 Slam in Los Angeles, which will no longer take place. Refunds will process automatically, and be received within 10-14 business days. Fans with questions on this process should contact the UCLA Box Office directly at jjohnson@tickets.ucla.edu

Numerous household names had standout moments in the league’s debut season, including Gabby Thomas storming to a Slam Championship in the Women’s Long Sprints in Kingston, Kenny Bednarek sweeping all six races contested in the Men’s Short Sprints, and Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone’s utter dominance in the Women’s Long Hurdles Race Group. Masai Russell ran an American record time in the 100mH (12.17) at the Miami Slam, whilst Melissa Jefferson-Wooden held off Thomas twice in great battles in the Women’s Short Sprints. Grant Fisher also won back-to-back Men’s Long Distance Slam Championships in Kingston and Miami.

“For me, to be a part of the inaugural season of Grand Slam Track™, and be a part of change in our sport, is something that I’ll never have regrets about,” said three-time Slam Champion and 2025 Grand Slam Track™ Women’s Racer of the Year Melissa Jefferson-Wooden. “Change is not always easy or accepted, and I’m happy that Michael Johnson found a way to take a leap of faith and build something for the future of our sport. Grand Slam Track™ gives me a platform to not only mature as an athlete, but be someone who is not afraid of challenges, who can embrace change, and have fun in doing so. I can’t wait to be back competing in Grand Slam Track™ in 2026.”

“It’s an incredible honor to be named Racer of the Year by Grand Slam Track™. I’m proud to be the only undefeated athlete in the league this season, and grateful for the opportunity to be a part of something special,” said three-time Slam Champion and 2025 Grand Slam Track™ Men’s Racer of the Year Kenny Bednarek. “This league has given me the stage to showcase my talent in both the 100m and 200m, especially the 100m, where I’ve finally been able to show my full potential. To receive this award and be part of history means a lot. Thank you to Michael Johnson and the entire Grand Slam Track™ team for the recognition. There’s so much more ahead. The best is yet to come and I can’t wait to continue being Mr. Grand Slam in 2026.”

Grand Slam Track™ also provided a platform for many of the world’s young, up-and-coming, and international stars to shine. Sasha Zhoya entertained the crowd in Kingston with his dance moves following winning the Slam there, before American Trey Cunningham electrified to take the Men’s Short Hurdles title away from Zhoya in Miami. Alison dos Santos won the first two Slams in the Men’s Long Hurdles, further establishing him as one of the most dominant forces in global hurdling.

The Grand Slam Track™ model also enabled Challengers like Jacory Patterson and Dylan Beard to have breakthrough moments, earning $50,000 each from the Slams in Kingston and Miami. Beard works a day job at Walmart, and Patterson works nights for UPS loading and unloading delivery trucks - emphasizing the need for a league like Grand Slam Track™ to help ensure the fastest humans in the world are able to train like professional athletes. Patterson has signed an endorsement deal with a major sportswear brand since his successful appearance at the Miami Slam. Opportunities to be Challengers were grabbed with both hands by other stars too. Tia Jones received a last-minute call up to the Kingston Slam, won the 100mH, and was just 0.02s behind Masai Russell’s American record time in Miami. Many other track and field leagues and individual meets around the world followed the Grand Slam Track™ model, and announced they were raising their prize money for competitors, establishing Grand Slam Track™ as a revolutionary, disruptor league within the sports world.

Grand Slam Track™ showcased its adaptability and willingness to listen to feedback from competitors and fans alike by making a successful mid-season change to a two-day format for the Philadelphia Slam. All Slams moving forward will continue to follow this scheduling format. Grand Slam Track™ also received plaudits from fans around the world, journalists covering the league, and the competitors who took part. The first three Slams were broadcast in more than 200 countries and territories worldwide, part of the largest broadcast deal ever negotiated within the sport. The Grand Slam Track™ broadcast itself also drew positive recognition, with the assembled all-star cast of broadcasters, coupled with new and innovative camera angles and production techniques. Fans lauded the head-to-head competition element, enabling them to see their favorite Racers compete many more times than they usually would have this early in the season. Competitors also spoke to the media about the quality of the Slams, how their needs were cared for by Grand Slam Track™ staff, and the overwhelmingly positive experience they had with the league.

Grand Slam Track™ would like to thank the Racers & Challengers who embraced the vision and made history by competing in the inaugural season, and the fans who followed along and supported this new frontier of track competition. Grand Slam Track™ would also like to thank all  partners and sponsors who helped deliver three incredible Slams in 2025. Grand Slam Track™ remains committed to finding further strategic partners who share the same vision of transforming the sport of track, and looks forward to returning for the 2026 season. Grand Slam Track™ will have no further comment at this time, but will provide updates on plans for the 2026 season in due course.

Grand Slam Track™ is the global home of elite track competition founded by four-time Olympic champion Michael Johnson. The league is redefining the landscape of track with a focus on head-to-head competition between the fastest humans on the planet: fostering rivalries, celebrating racing, and putting fans first. The league features a roster of 48 Racers signed to compete in all annual Slams and includes superstars like Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, Gabby Thomas, Melissa Jefferson-Wooden, Grant Fisher, Josh Kerr, Marileidy Paulino, and many more. These Racers compete against 48 Challengers, who vary per Slam; each Slam features the largest and deepest prize purse in the history of the sport. The inaugural Grand Slam Track™ season in 2025 saw Slams take place in Kingston, Jamaica; Miami; Philadelphia. For more information, visit grandslamtrack.com.

Kenny Bednarek & Melissa Jefferson-Wooden crowned inaugural “Racers of the Year;” upcoming Los Angeles Slam postponed until 2026 season.

Grand Slam Track™ Announces Conclusion of Groundbreaking 2025 Season

PHILADELPHIA – June 1, 2025 – Grand Slam Track Philadelphia closed its run at historic Franklin Field with back-to-back world leading races witnessed by the largest crowd in series history. Melissa Jefferson-Wooden and Kenny Bednarek both ran personal bests in the 100m to rocket to the top of the global leaderboard and win their third consecutive Slam Championships. 

Jefferson-Wooden kicked off the electric final moments of the Slam. Fresh off a personal best in the 200m yesterday, she shot out of the blocks and sprinted to a wind-legal 10.73 finish, three-tenths of a second ahead of Tamari Davis (11.03). Her winning time makes her the 10th fastest 100m performer in history.

“I actually knew before the gun the potential that I had for it to be something special,” said Jefferson-Wooden, who now leads the Racer of the Year standings. “You don't have time to think about anything else. Just do what you've been doing.”

Bednarek fed off the energy of Jefferson-Wooden’s performance when he stepped onto the track moments later. Bednarek, who is the only undefeated athlete across all six races of Grand Slam competition in 2025, overcame a slow reaction time to pull away from the field 20 meters into the race and break the tape in 9.86.

“Grand Slam, I think, is kind of built for me,” said Bednarek, who leads the Men’s Racer of the Year standings. “I really need experience in the 100 meters and Grand Slam gave me the opportunity to do that.”

Grand Slam Track history was made in the Women’s Long Hurdles where Jasmine Jones became the first athlete to win a Slam Championship without winning a race. Jones, whose Grand Slam debut was delayed by a back injury, finished second in both the 400m hurdles and the 400m to take the title, one point ahead of Anna Cockrell and Lina Nielsen, the respective winners of those two events. 

“I know I was coming into this a little nervous. I wasn't sure where I was at this season,” said Jones, who was also making her outdoor season debut. “I got a little bit of that fitness and strength back and just in time for this Slam, so getting on here and finally feeling healthy, was a huge confidence boost and a huge win for me.”

Despite the presence of Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, Ackera Nugent secured her second consecutive Slam Championship in the Women’s Short Hurdles. Nugent won both races in the race group, including a narrow win today over McLaughlin-Levrone in the 100m. It marked Nugent’s final Grand Slam appearance of the year as she will now focus on the Jamaican Championships. 

“My personality was able to be shown out there from Grand Slam,” said Nugent, who ran 11.11 today. “I was able to get some practice in and work on all of the things and I think I've done that, and it shows in both Slams.”

McLaughlin-Levrone, who specializes in the 400m and the 400m hurdles, finished second in the Race Group. It was her first time running the 100m hurdles this season and her first time running the 100m as a professional athlete. While it was a rare back-to-back defeat for one of the world’s most dominant track and field athletes, McLaughlin-Levrone said it was a valuable learning experience.

“There’s just so much around the unknown that can make you nervous. Especially with the short hurdles,” said McLaughlin-Levrone, who grew up in nearby New Brunswick, New Jersey. “I think it’s natural but that’s part of the challenge, pushing myself out of my comfort zone to do those kinds of things.”

The Men’s Short Hurdles saw its third different champion in as many Slams. In Philadelphia, Jamal Britt took home the $100,000. Britt finished second in the 100m behind Miami Slam Champion Trey Cunningham after winning the 100m hurdles yesterday.

“100k is a pretty nice contract. It’s like a shoe contract,” said Britt, who is unsponsored. “I got that just from running in the races and it's more than what I made in my entire life.”

Alison dos Santos’ winning streak finally came to an end today. The Brazilian finished third in the 400m which cost him the victory in the Men’s Long Hurdles. That Slam Championship went to Trevor Bassitt, who won the race today and finished second in yesterday’s 400m hurdles. 

“I think I'm one of the best there is any given day, and I think I showed that today,” said Bassitt, the 2022 World bronze medalist. “We all know the top 400 hurdlers are typically Alison, Karsten, [Warholm] and Rai [Benjamin] but I feel like when I'm at my best, if I fully have faith and I run my race, I think I can compete with any of them.”

Following a close second in Miami, Marco Arop finally found enough success in the 1500m to win the Men’s Short Distance. Arop, the fourth fastest 800m runner in history, placed fourth in the 1500m today in a new personal best time of 3:35.38. Although he was nearly a second behind race winner Josh Kerr, his performance combined with his win in the 800m yesterday gave him the points he needed to take the title. 

“You know, it was a long time coming,” said Arop, who led at the bell. “I had the first two not quite figured out, but I think that 1500 is getting closer and closer to where I wanted to be.”

Following a disappointing performance in Miami, Matthew Hudson-Smith returned to the top of the Men’s Long Sprints. He overcame what he called a “sloppy” 200m race today where he finished fifth; this, combined with his 400m victory yesterday, was enough to defeat Alexander Ogando in the Race Group. 

“The main goal was to finish healthy, and that's all that mattered,” said Hudson-Smith, who also won the Race Group in Kingston. “I had talked to MJ, and he gave me some [200m] tips, but once I got to the starting line, they went completely out the window, and I went back to my 400-meter rhythm. Still, I came away with the win.”

Marileidy Paulino won her second consecutive Slam Championship in the Women’s Long Sprints. Paulino dominated yesterday’s 400m and today’s 200m. She ran 22.46 today to defeat Penn alum Isabella Whittaker, who placed second in the Race Group. 

The Women’s Short Distance Race Group saw Diribe Weltejii’s return to the winner’s circle. Welteji narrowly defeated Olympic bronze medalist Georgia Hunter Bell in the 800m. Her winning time of 1:58.94 set a Franklin Field facility record. 

In his Grand Slam Track debut, Nico Young turned a slow start into a thrilling finish in the 3000m. Young ran a 53-second final lap to finish in 8:01.03, outkicking a hard-charging Sam Gilman (8:01.70), winning the race and Slam title in the Men’s Long Distance Race Group. 

“The track is super fast,” said Young, the NCAA record holder in the 5,000m and 10,000m. “I was in a weird spot with 100 meters to go, but I stayed ahead, and that’s good.”

Grand Slam Track Philadelphia marked a transition from a three-day event to a two-day event for the series, a change implemented following feedback from the athletes and the fans. It resulted in the most electric atmosphere and highest ticket sales the series has seen in its inaugural year.

“We've got everything that we could have hoped for out of this weekend, and I think we're really pleased with just compacting things into two days instead of the three days,” said Grand Slam Track Founder and Commissioner Michael Johnson “We felt like that worked much better. We're just going to continue to improve. But the team's very happy with what we got this weekend.”

Full results of Grand Slam Track Philadelphia can be found here. Flash quotes from today’s competitors, as well as from Michael Johnson, can be found here. The last Slam of the season, where the Racers of the Year will be determined, will be held in Los Angeles, the final weekend of June at UCLA’s Drake Stadium. 

Reported by Jay Holder for Grand Slam Track 

Philadelphia Slam at Historic Franklin Field Welcomes Largest Crowd in Series History 

Short Sprints Shine on Final Day of Grand Slam Track Philadelphia

 – Melissa Jefferson-Wooden ran a personal best to take down the world champion in the 200m, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone lost her first race in nearly two years, and unsponsored Jamal Britt defeated the fastest 110m hurdler in the world this year. Grand Slam Track Philadelphia day one brought facility records in all eleven events, providing a historic experience for the thousands of fans who filled iconic Franklin Field on Saturday.

Jefferson-Wooden looked unbeatable in the women’s 200m. The two-time Slam Champion in the Women’s Short Sprints shot out of the blocks and never looked back, breaking 22 seconds for the first time in her career with her winning time of 21.99. Gabby Thomas, the reigning Olympic gold medalist in the event who defeated Jefferson-Wooden in the 200m at the Miami Slam, finished second in 22.10.

“I've been working on this ever since Miami. You know, obviously I came up short, got third place [there],” said Jefferson-Wooden who has now won four of her five Grand Slam races so far this season. “I knew if I wanted to win, I had to get out, get in front, and I controlled the race and let them come get me. And that's what I did.”

The men’s 110m hurdles also ended with an upset. In a photo finish, Jamal Britt defeated Cordell Tinch, the fourth fastest man of all time in the 110m hurdles, by two one-hundredths of a second. Britt’s winning time of 13.08 tied his personal best. 

“With us, anything can happen,” said Britt, who has already raced more than three dozen times in 2025. “I would say this is the best generation of hurdlers, and I'm happy that I'm in it.”

The most anticipated race of the day featured 400m hurdles world record holder and world champion Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone dropping down to the 100m hurdles. And while all eyes were on McLaughlin-Levrone, it was defending Slam Champion Ackera Nugent who showed the fans that this event belongs to her. Nugent won in 12.44, just edging out Tia Jones (12.60). McLaughlin-Levrone finished fifth in 12.70. It was her first loss in an individual race since June of 2023. 

“I wished I could remove myself from my body and watch the race, but it's just like, no, I gotta focus,” said Nugent, who is a fan of McLaughlin-Levrone. “She's very competitive no matter what she does. I had to turn my excitement off, and I just had to lock myself into space.”

“It felt really good, felt fun, felt fast,” said McLaughlin-Levrone of her first 100m hurdles race of 2025. “But I think the hurdle technique and just how quick they were coming up on me, I had to make some adjustments.” 

Tomorrow, McLaughlin-Levrone will race the first 100m of her professional career. 

McLaughlin-Levrone’s specialty event, the 400m hurdles, was won by the woman who took second to her at last year’s Olympics. Making her Grand Slam debut, Anna Cockrell came out of lane eight and ran away from the field, winning in 54.04, more than half a second ahead of Jasmine Jones (54.65). 

“It’s a historic venue,” said Cockrell, who was competing at Franklin Field for the first time since high school. “It’s so fun running in front of a really, really engaged crowd. I mean, the second we walked out they were excited.”

It seems no one can beat “Kung-Fu” Kenny in the Men’s Short Sprints. Kenny Bednarek made winning the men’s 200m look easy in his time of 19.95, defeating Zharnel Hughes (20.50) by more than half a second. Bednarek has yet to lose a Grand Slam Track race in 2025. 

Neither has Alison dos Santos in the Men’s Long Hurdles, but he came close in the 400m hurdles today. Dos Santos held off Trevor Bassitt, running 48.11 and winning by just over one-tenth of a second. 

Marco Arop remains undefeated in the 800m in Grand Slam Track events. Despite new Challengers such as the reigning World Indoor Champion Josh Hoey and Olympic semi-finalist Hobbs Kessler, Arop won with enough time to celebrate before breaking the tape, running a season’s best time of 1:43.38.

“I know I’ve got a target on my back,” said Arop. “In the 1500m I know those guys are going to come prepared tomorrow and try their best not to let me win so I’m going to have to try to step it up there.”

Marileidy Paulino continued her hot streak in the Women’s Long Sprints Race Group. Paulino, who swept the Race Group in Miami, ran a season’s best time of 49.12 to win the 400m today. With two Slams already under her belt, Paulino said she was happy to get the longer of her two races out of the way on day one.

“I prefer the 400 first. And then the 200, which is pretty much the way it's set up here,” said Paulino, who set a Dominican National Record in the 200m in Miami earlier this month. “It obviously shows. It's working out well for me.” 

Matthew Hudson-Smith has had an up-and-down Slam season in the Men’s Long Sprints, but today, the reigning Olympic silver medalist won a 400m for the first time this year and did so in convincing fashion. Running in lane seven, Hudson-Smith closed hard to run 44.51, and said he enjoyed the Franklin Field experience. 

“You’re running two races of high quality, back-to-back,” said Hudson-Smith. “[I’ve] never raced out here. It’s very nice, there’s a lot of history here so I was excited to race here.”  

The four-minute barrier was broken in the women’s 1500m for the first time in Grand Slam Track history. Diribe Welteji overcame a hard charging Jessica Hall to run 3:58.04 and win by just three one-hundredths of a second. 

It was another close finish in the women’s 3000m where Agnes Ngetich relied on her kick and was rewarded with a victory. Ngetich out-leaned Ejgayehu Taye to win 8:43.61 to 8:43.70. 

“I’ve been working on speed,” said Ngetich, who holds the world record in the 10K road race. “I see it’s coming. Winning in Miami gave me that energy to push and we’re doing that towards the final Slam in LA.”

With the 3000m being the only event in the Women’s Long Distance, Ngetich wins the Slam Championship for the second consecutive Slam. 

Flash Quotes can be found here. Full results can be found here. Tickets for Day Two can be purchased here.

Slam Day Two on Sunday will see eleven more Slam Champions crowned. Competition begins at 3:30 p.m. EST. 

Reported by Jay Holder for Grand Slam Track

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Los Angeles, CA - Four-time US Olympic Champion Michael Johnson today officially launched Grand Slam Track™, the new global home of professional track competition. This new league will usher in a new era of professional track for the global fanbase of 2.5 billion people worldwide and provide undiscovered opportunities for fan engagement, sponsorship, and elite competition for racers.

The league will host four annual Slams during the spring and summer season in four global cities. The inaugural Slam will take place in April 2025, followed by three more Slams over the summer months. Los Angeles will serve as the global home for Grand Slam Track, and host one of the Slam events. There will be one further Slam that will take place in the United States, and two in international locations. The other host cities will be announced and celebrated in their respective local markets later this summer.

“I am delighted to finally unveil Grand Slam Track to the millions of track fans around the world,” said Michael Johnson, the league’s founder who will serve as Commissioner. “We are excited to launch this new platform for the planet’s greatest racers in this sport we all love. Our team has worked tirelessly to design and build a product that will be loved by fans and provide opportunities for our racers that they truly deserve. We’re revolutionizing the track landscape, allowing our sport to remain at the forefront of the sporting world year round, and pushing our superstar racers to break new ground in their personal storytelling, competitive success, and marketability. Grand Slam Track is going to take our sport to new heights, and we want you to come along for the ride.”

Each year, 48 athletes will be named to the league as GST Racers. These racers 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. GST Racers commit to racing in all four Slams per year. They will receive an annual base compensation for racing in each Slam and are eligible for full prize money. These GST Racers will receive annual contracts, access to the GST 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. GST racers are compensated under contract to race and promote the league and receive additional marketing and branding support.

The remaining 48 racers will be known as GST Challengers and will be paid a set appearance fee to compete at individual Slams. GST 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 score will be determined by their combined finishing order between the two races. In the event of a tie across the two events, it will be the athlete who had the quickest combined time across the two races who will be deemed the winner. The winner of each Slam group will take home $100,000 in prize money, and the 8th place competitor will earn $10,000. Grand Slam Track will have a total of $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. Grand Slam Track has no affiliation or sponsorship agreement with any shoe company; all shoe companies are considered to be important stakeholders and partners in the promotion of our racers.

Grand Slam Track has secured more than $30 million in financial commitments from investors and strategic partners for the launch of the league. Winners Alliance, a global, athlete-centric commercial solution and Johnson’s operating partner, was the lead investor in the first fundraising close for the new venture. The investment in the league will aid in Johnson’s ultimate goal: to develop better engagement with fans by promoting track and field’s biggest stars and reaching new audiences with unique, innovative storytelling. Ticket sales information will be released in due course. For further information, please follow @GrandSlamTrack on all social media platforms, and visit grandslamtrack.com.

Born in Dallas, Texas, Michael Johnson is a Hall of Fame track and field star, universally recognized as one of the greatest sprinters of all time. He won four Olympic gold medals and eight World Championships across his career, and held world and Olympic records in both the 200m and 400m races. At the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, Johnson became the first and only male athlete to win the Gold medal in both the 200m and 400m at the same Olympics. Since retiring from active competition, Johnson has become a serial entrepreneur and investor, as well as highly sought after performance mindset speaker and an award winning television commentator. Johnson has been a pundit for the BBC’s coverage of every Olympics Games since Athens 2004, and remains a key voice on, and advocate for the sport. Johnson was inducted into the United States Track and Field Hall of Fame in 2004.

US Olympic Hero Michael Johnson Launches GRAND SLAM TRACK™, a Revolutionary Track League to Elevate the Sport’s Global Footprint. Grand Slam Track will center around fan-focused storytelling and promotion of track’s biggest stars, with competition to begin in 2025

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