Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone was the first to leap, but not everyone was ready to follow. As Grand Slam Track (GST) launched, skepticism loomed—would the biggest names in track and field, like Noah Lyles and Sha’Carri Richardson, trust the vision? Michael Johnson, the mastermind behind GST, has heard the doubts, but he isn’t letting their absence overshadow the 48 elite athletes who did show up. Calling it “disrespectful” to focus on who’s missing, Johnson is shifting the narrative. With four high-stakes slams ahead, the stage is set for a major shift in track and field. But before that, Johnson has a final verdict on the skeptics.
The launch of Grand Slam Track was never about getting everyone on board right away—it was about building something groundbreaking and letting the best athletes decide for themselves. In conversation with Citius Mag founder Chris Chavez, former track and field legend Michael Johnson shared everything about GST, from securing business success in the first year to engaging fans like other sports.
As he was asked about the key concerns that athletes had before joining the league, how have those been addressed? Michael Johnson explained in the easiest way possible, as he puts it, “When we build it, you know, they come.” The foundation has been set, but expecting every top name to sign up in Year One? Unrealistic. This is a long game, and Johnson knows it. As he further added, “And that’s the other thing—just like we talked about with television and everything else. Are all of the athletes going to come in Year One? Come on, no. All the athletes are not going to come in Year One.” As one of the top athletes like Noah Lyles didn’t show up this time, but may be next year, you never know, right?
Instead of dwelling on who’s not here, Johnson shifts the focus to those who are. “You can over-index and get hyper-focused on who’s not here, which, in my opinion, is somewhat disrespectful to the 48 who are here,” he says. And he has a point—these aren’t just any athletes. Olympic champions, world champions, and finalists who have already proven themselves at the highest level. This isn’t just a test run; it’s history in the making.
The skepticism was inevitable, but momentum speaks for itself. “This has never happened in the sport,” Johnson reminds us, and that’s exactly why it’s worth paying attention to. The first chapter of Grand Slam Track is already being written—not by those waiting on the sidelines, but by the ones bold enough to step up and race. Even Michael Johnson shares the excitement and confidence that the vision is coming along exactly as planned.
From controversy to confirmation, Michael Johnson’s GST defies doubts
From skeptics questioning its viability to debates over its impact, Michael Johnson has heard it all. But as he puts it, “One thing that I’m proud of—if you go back and look from the day it was announced… there were all sorts of questions.” And those questions didn’t stop. Questions about the broadcasting, sponsors backing out, and track athlete Noah Lyles taking a dig at GST with his statements like, “If a tree falls in the woods and nobody’s around to see it, did that tree fall?” Johnson has faced it all, but he has proved that with dedication and passion, nothing is impossible.
Yet, through all the scrutiny, Johnson stayed the course. He raised the money, built the foundation, and proved that this wasn’t just another ambitious idea—it was a movement. GST secured a major broadcast deal, partnering with NBC Sports and The CW Network in the U.S. with Peacock as an exclusive streaming home and CW Network as a broadcasting home. Yep, that’s correct. Fans can even watch the one-of-a-kind event on their home screens.
The skeptics may still talk, but the stage is set, the athletes are ready, and Grand Slam Track is about to make history. Now, with the event just around the corner, with the first event at Kingston, fans and the entire track and field world are all set to witness history in the making.
The post “Disrespectful”: Michael Johnson Gives Final Verdict on Noah Lyles and Sha’Carri Richardson’s Absence from Grand Slam Track appeared first on EssentiallySports.
