Brazilian hurdler Alison dos Santos, Zambian sprinter Muzala Samukonga, and French runner Clément Ducos have officially signed on to compete in the Grand Slam Track (GST) league, a new initiative spearheaded by track legend Michael Johnson.
At the 2024 Paris Olympics, Dos Santos added another bronze medal in the 400m hurdles to his resume, finishing behind competitors Rai Benjamin and Karsten Warholm. The 24-year-old also clinched the 2022 World Championship title in the same event and reclaimed his Diamond League title in Brussels. With a personal best of 46.29 seconds in the 400m hurdles, he currently ranks third on the all-time list. Dos Santos will also compete in the 400m sprint at GST, where his best time is 45.25 seconds.
“It’s a special moment for me to join Grand Slam Track,” Dos Santos said. “I’m proud to be the first Brazilian athlete in the league and am eager to represent my country across all four Slams. The format excites me, and competing for top prizes while going head-to-head with my rivals is a thrilling challenge. I believe the fans will love what we bring to the sport, and I can’t wait to see them at the Slams in 2025.”
Meanwhile, 21-year-old Muzala Samukonga made history by earning Zambia’s first Olympic medal in nearly three decades, capturing bronze in the 400m at the Paris Games. Samukonga first gained international attention with his gold-medal performance at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, where he finished the 400m in 44.66 seconds, narrowly defeating Matthew Hudson-Smith of Great Britain. He later set a Zambian national record of 43.74 seconds during the Olympic Games.
“It’s an honor to join Grand Slam Track and represent Zambia,” Samukonga remarked. “This league provides an incredible opportunity for us as athletes to showcase our skills at a high level. Competing in the Slams will allow us to race against top athletes around the world, and I’m excited to be a part of that.”
Clément Ducos, a 23-year-old from France, has also been turning heads on the track. Ducos clocked a personal best of 47.42 seconds in the 400m hurdles at the Silesia Diamond League, earning him fourth place on the European all-time list. At the Paris Olympics, he recorded a time of 47.76 seconds while racing in front of a supportive home crowd.
“This is an incredible opportunity for me,” said Ducos. “To represent France in Grand Slam Track and compete against some of the world’s best is truly a dream. This league offers us a chance to remain at the forefront of the sport, and I’m eager to see how far we can take it. The competition will be tough, but I look forward to the challenges that lie ahead.”
With these three rising stars joining the roster, the Grand Slam Track league now boasts 13 confirmed athletes. Dos Santos, Samukonga, and Ducos join top names such as Masai Russell, Cyréna Samba-Mayela, Jasmine Camacho-Quinn, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, Melissa Jefferson, Fred Kerley, Kenny Bednarek, Cole Hocker, Yared Nuguse, and Josh Kerr.
Each of the athletes, known as “Racers,” will participate in all four Slams, competing across a variety of track and field disciplines. Racers will receive base compensation for participating in the league and be eligible for prize money based on their performance. The league will feature six event categories, from sprints to long-distance races, with athletes competing in two events at each Slam.
As the 2025 season approaches, Grand Slam Track promises to provide an innovative platform for track and field athletes, allowing them to compete at the highest level while offering fans an exciting new way to engage with the sport.
