Canada’s middle-distance champion Marco Arop will join 96 top athletes at the inaugural Grand Slam Track (GST) event in Kingston, Jamaica, set for April 4–6, 2025, at the National Stadium. This groundbreaking event kicks off GST, a new track and field league founded by four-time U.S. Olympic champion Michael Johnson.
Kingston and Los Angeles have been confirmed as host cities for GST’s debut season, with two additional cities expected to be announced soon. These events will unfold throughout 2025, culminating in the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo in September.
“We are thrilled to bring Grand Slam Track to Kingston,” Johnson shared in a press release. “Jamaica’s rich track and field tradition and love for the sport make it an ideal venue. We’re excited to have Kingston as one of the first four Slams for this new league.”
GST’s format promises intense competition, with athletes like Arop, a world 800m champion and Olympic silver medallist, competing twice in their chosen distances. Arop will run both the 800m and 1,500m, facing formidable rivals such as Olympic 1,500m champion Cole Hocker, U.S. star Yared Nuguse, and British middle-distance sensation Josh Kerr.
What Sets Grand Slam Track Apart?
Modelled after the formats of golf and tennis, GST will feature four exclusive track meets, bringing together 96 elite athletes in two divisions of 48 competitors each. Across six categories, athletes will race twice at each event, with a focus on authentic racing, as GST forbids the use of pace-setters or light indicators.
In a unique twist, GST will also forgo traditional race bibs, allowing athletes to showcase their personal brands and boost sponsorship potential. Significant prize money is up for grabs—athletes could earn as much as USD $400,000 if they achieve victories in all four events of their division.
Beyond Arop, the league will include high-profile names like 400m hurdles world record holder Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, Olympic 400m champion Quincy Hall, and Australian 1,500m standout Jessica Hull, among others. GST’s lineup includes over 25 Olympic medallists, emphasizing the caliber of competition.
While GST is yet to secure a global broadcast deal, excitement is building around this bold new league, set to bring fresh energy and visibility to track and field.
