When Michael Johnson stepped onto the mic after Grand Slam Track’s debut, his message wasn’t just a thank you. It was a rallying cry. “You are superstars, and you should be treated like superstars,” he told the athletes and fans who showed up to make history. And he meant every word. For decades, track and field athletes have delivered jaw-dropping performances with little more than applause to show for it. Johnson knows the system has been broken. What we witnessed was his way of saying, Enough is enough. This isn’t just a new event. It’s a turning point.
With Grand Slam Track, Michael Johnson isn’t just putting on a show. He’s building a movement. One that dares to imagine a world where athletes are valued, where fans get consistency, and where the sport itself levels up. “This is the way it should be, and it has been wrong for so long,” he said, beaming with pride. Now, with $100,000 on the line for winners and a packed crowd behind them, the message is clear: this is your sport, and this is your moment.
Johnson is thanking those who showed up, not just for attending, but for helping push track and field toward the future it deserves. The vision isn’t just about money or medals. It’s about unity. A recent video post on X from Grand Slam Track summed it up perfectly. “Rivals on the track, but off it, we’re in this together to elevate the sport.” That’s the mission. And the athletes get it. Today they appear to compete but also receive the recognition of being seen and heard and appreciated.
Rivals on the track, but off it we’re in this together to elevate the sport @MJGold giving some last words of gratitude to the first 96 athletes to believe in the Grand Slam Track vision last night pic.twitter.com/K6ECpO7Lho
— Grand Slam Track (@GrandSlamTrack) April 4, 2025
“I just want to thank all of you guys,” Johnson said, addressing the athletes directly. “I appreciate your commitment. I’m so excited because you guys are excited and the fans are excited. And this is what we need for this sport.” At that instant, it exceeded mere event status. Athletes who fully grasped the dangers of the situation used their power to fuel an escalating movement. Athletics history traditionally praised individual athletic greatness, yet Johnson now establishes a new approach to track excellence.
He’s making it about collective elevation. “It’s all about you,” he said to the athletes. “We have to earn permission to do this… and we’ve done that.” The Grand Slam Track has proved critics wrong by surmounting challenges that multiple people believed to be insurmountable barriers. Track superstar Noah Lyles voiced doubt about a bold change taking hold in his eyes. Johnson achieved every ambitious goal he pursued.
“I got permission to go out and get 189 countries’ broadcasters because of you guys… I was telling you that you guys are going to show up.” And show up, they did. The results speak for themselves. From beIN Sports to CazéTV and SuperSport, GST has secured deals with 21 broadcast partners, reaching audiences across Latin America, the Caribbean, the Middle East, Oceania, and Africa.
That’s not just a win; it’s a global power play. “We’ve been busy getting Grand Slam Track ready for the world to see,” Johnson said, following the announcement. “We set out to make GST viewable for fans all across the globe, and these deals reinforce that idea.” This is Johnson’s counterpunch to every doubter. Grand Slam Track isn’t just surviving. It’s thriving. And with every race, cheer, and camera angle, it’s clear that this is only the beginning.
Uniting the Track world, one broadcast at a time
Grand Slam Track (GST) exists above and beyond its position on sports event listings. As part of his purpose, Michael Johnson strives to save a sport that desperately needs attention. The upcoming Paris Olympics unveiled the dire financial situation concerning professional track and field. Various Olympic medalists have expressed financial struggles to athletes even though they are Olympic medalists.
That’s where GST steps in. Each competition winner receives a novel prize through the efforts of Michael Johnson, who found a new way to run group athletics. The enhancement of athlete expectations and entitlements is being established through his new approach. His current state of enthusiasm stems directly from the way he feels. On the eve of the April 5 opening in Kingston, the sprint legend related the forthcoming version to the 1996 Olympic Games. His golden moment in Atlanta.
“Haven’t felt this feeling since July 1996!” he posted on X, sharing the thrill of watching his brainchild finally take flight. The buzz is real, but the road here isn’t smooth. From skeptics to scheduling snags, GST has faced an uphill battle to prove its place in a packed and skeptical track calendar. Yet through all the noise, Johnson’s resolve hasn’t wavered. Despite criticism from big names like Noah Lyles, who questioned the series’ timing and marketing, Michael Johnson is doubling down.
“You are always going to have some resistance,” he said in response. What some call chaos, Johnson sees as an opportunity to shift mindsets, challenge the norms, and spark real change. And he’s not alone. Powerhouses like Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, Carl Lewis, Joanna Hayes, and even World Athletics president Sebastian Coe have voiced support. Michael Johnson envisions a future where track athletes finally receive the superstar treatment they deserve. And others are starting to see it too.
The post Michael Johnson Pays Classy Tribute to Grand Slam Track Participants as American Legends Makes Rousing Speech appeared first on EssentiallySports.
