Philadelphia completes its schedule for Johnson’s Grand Slam matches

Grand Slam Track, the new athletics series founded by American legend Michael Johnson, has named Philadelphia as the latest revealed location for a first series of four competitions planned for 2025 (Fabrice COFFRINI)

Grand Slam Track, the new athletics series founded by American legend Michael Johnson, has named Philadelphia as the latest revealed location for a first series of four competitions planned for 2025 (Fabrice COFFRINI)

Grand Slam Track, the new track and field series founded by four-time Olympic sprint champion Michael Johnson, announced Philadelphia’s Franklin Field on Thursday as the final venue for its inaugural 2025 season.

The Grand Slam Track will host events next year in Kingston, Jamaica, April 4-6; Miami from May 2 to 4 and from May 30 to June 1 in Philadelphia. Dates and location have yet to be announced for the fourth location, Los Angeles.

“Philly has a reputation for bringing intensity to every event, and that’s exactly what we’re going for with Grand Slam Track,” Johnson said. “Philadelphia’s sports culture is something else and it’s going to elevate the competition.”

Franklin Field, which hosts the annual Penn Relays, will host a global lineup, including American stars such as two-time Olympic hurdles champion Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, Paris Olympic 100m bronze medalist Melissa Jefferson, 100m champion m hurdles from Paris Masai Russell and the 400m champion from Paris. Quincy Hall, Fred Kerley, two-time Olympic medalist in the 100m, and Kenny Bednarek, two-time Olympic runner-up in the 200m.

The 48 Glam Slam riders will compete in all four competitions with contracts for a base payment and the opportunity to earn more through licensing and other revenue opportunities. Another 48 riders will be paid to compete in individual competitions through an appearance fee.

Runners will compete in at least two events at each competition. These include short sprints (100m/200m), short hurdles (100m), long sprints (200m/400m), long hurdles (400m), short distances (800m/1 500 m) and long distances (3000 m/5000 m).

Each competitor will be awarded a final ranking based on their results, with ties broken by the fastest combined times, with each Slam group winner taking home $100,000 (95,000 euros) in prize money.

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