Devon Allen, renowned as the third-fastest 110m hurdler in history, is preparing for a momentous return to the track in 2025 after a challenging year marked by injury. The 29-year-old American sprinter, who also played wide receiver for the NFL’s Philadelphia Eagles, suffered a third anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear last December, sidelining him for the entire 2024 season. Now, Allen is back and ready for action, having signed with the newly launched Grand Slam Track series.
Allen’s track career is defined by incredible speed and resilience. He holds a personal best of 12.84 seconds in the 110m hurdles, a mark he set in New York in 2022, which remains the third-fastest time ever recorded in the event. Only Aries Merritt’s world record and reigning Olympic champion Grant Holloway have clocked faster times. Allen had hoped to compete in his third Olympic Games in Paris after finishing fourth in Tokyo and fifth in Rio, but the severity of his injury prevented him from making a qualification attempt.
Transitioning from track to football, Allen made his NFL debut for the Eagles in September 2023, but after his stint, he became a free agent at the end of the 2023/24 season. Now, his focus returns fully to the track, and his signing with Grand Slam Track signals the start of a new chapter in his athletic career.
“Whether I’m on the field or on the track, I love competition,” Allen shared. “Grand Slam Track gives me a way to return to racing and face some of the best athletes out there. I’m thankful to Michael [Johnson] and the team for calling me back to the track. I’m ready to get back to what I love and test myself against the other fastest men in the world.”
At Grand Slam Track, Allen will compete in both the 100m and 110m hurdles events alongside fellow American hurdler Daniel Roberts. This groundbreaking league, founded by Olympic legend Michael Johnson, offers elite athletes the chance to compete consistently in four major events annually, known as “Slams.” It promises a new level of competition and excitement for both athletes and fans, bringing together top talent in a structured and thrilling format.
Another major signing for Grand Slam Track is Marileidy Paulino, the current Olympic 400m champion and Dominican Republic track star. Paulino, 27, delivered a stellar 2024 season, winning Olympic gold with a record-breaking 48.17 at the Stade de France, placing her fourth on the all-time list. She also claimed titles at the Diamond League final and Athlos NYC, finishing the season unbeaten.
“For me, it’s about making my country proud and continuing to raise the bar,” said Paulino. “Grand Slam Track is a new chapter for me, and I’m ready to keep showing what hard work and heart can do. This is a great opportunity for us as athletes to continue to make our sport shine on a global stage.”
Allen and Paulino are part of a star-studded lineup at Grand Slam Track, which now boasts 30 world-class athletes. This includes notable names like Jess Hull, Shamier Little, Marco Arop, Jereem Richards, and Luis Grijalva. These athletes, along with others, will compete as “Racers” in two events per Slam, across categories like short sprints, long sprints, hurdles, and distance races. They will receive annual base compensation and have the opportunity to earn prize money based on their performances.
Grand Slam Track is poised to revolutionize the sport of track and field by creating a more consistent, head-to-head competitive format for elite athletes. With stars like Devon Allen and Marileidy Paulino in the mix, the series is set to deliver must-watch moments, as these athletes push their limits and aim to inspire fans across the globe.
