Shift in "Global economic landscape" sees final instalment of Michael Johnson's new project called off

The fourth and final event of Michael Johnson’s Grand Slam Track Series, scheduled to take place in Los Angeles on June 28-29, has been cancelled due to reported financial issues.

The Californian Slam had been due to bring the curtain down on the project’s opening season but, as first reported in The Times, the former Olympic champion informed athletes of the cancellation via video call in the early hours of Friday (June 13).

The league, based on head-to-head match-ups rather than beating the clock, featured six event groups with 48 contracted Racers going up against a variety of Challengers and had an overall prize money pot of $12.6 million. Winners of each Slam took home $100,000.

Following the first two Slams in Kingston, which saw particularly disappointing crowds, and Miami, the Philadelphia event was reduced from its original three-day format to two, and it is understood that organisers had concerns over the venue deal at UCLA for later this month.

“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 Johnson in a statement. “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.”

He added: “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. 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.”

British sprinter Daryll Neita was a Racer in both Kingston and Miami and, reflecting on the news after running at the Bislett Games in Oslo, she said: "My immediate thoughts are that I’m really grateful that I got the opportunity to compete there. It’s been an amazing incentive and has been a great thing for the sport. It’s started a lot of conversations and brought new interest. I had a great experience.

“It’s been great to have something new in track and field. There’s been a lot of talk about ‘how can we make track and field more evolved and what can we do to make it better?' and I think that was a good example [of trying to do that]. Hopefully more organisers and sponsors can pick up on that.”

For world 400m hurdles champion Karsten Warholm, who didn't take part in any of the Grand Slam Events, the development is a sign that the sport perhaps needs to change in a different way.

“I really respect what they’re trying to achieve but I think in the future there can only be one concept in track and field because the depth is not strong enough - we don’t have enough superstars. Grand Slam Track has done a lot for track and field and I want them somehow to succeed. 

“I also hope that someone can stretch out a helping hand to them to kind of merge everything into one. I want to have one league – I’m not going to say it will be the concept we know in the Diamond League or it’s going to be Grand Slam Track – but they’ve tried, which is more than most people can say so I don’t want to talk down on Grand Slam Track because they tried to change something that they felt needed changed so I wish the best for them.”