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Kingston debut for Grand Slam Track
November 12, 2024
With the first-ever slam in four-time Olympic champion Michael Johnson's Grand Slam Track (GST) series set to kick off at the National Stadium from April 4 to April 6 next year, Johnson said it was only right to choose Kingston as the host city to debut the event.
The Jamaica GST series will be the first of four slams during the 2025 calendar year.
Johnson said with Jamaica's reputation as one of the foremost track and field countries in the world, it was an obvious choice to host the inaugural event at the National Stadium.
"Jamaica truly has earned its place as one of the pre-eminent track and field countries in the world," Johnson said.
"This country has punched far above its weight on the global stage, so for us it is only fitting that we, the Grand Slam Track, a new professional series that has catapulted itself to the top of the sport, honour that excellence in track that Jamaica has always represented and continues to represent."
He continued, "We couldn't be more excited to be coming here to Jamaica, to Kingston, for the first-ever Grand Slam Track."
The GST series will consist of four stops each year and will be contested across six event categories -- short sprints, short hurdles, long sprints, long hurdles, short distance and long distance.
The series will see 96 athletes compete throughout the year, with the top 48 athletes designated as GST Racers and will commit to competing in all four slams throughout the year, while the remaining 48 athletes will be designated as GST Challengers.
Olivia 'Babsy' Grange, minister of culture, gender, entertainment and sport, welcomed Jamaica's inclusion in the new global competition, stating that it is a new opportunity for track and field fans to enjoy the sport they love.
"Being chosen as a host city for Grand Slam Track is a big moment for Kingston, and for Jamaica as a country," the sport minister said.
"This is a chance for us to be part of something huge, bringing top athletes to our track, and helping the sport grow in a new and exciting way. Fans will get to experience the sport they love up close, and it'll be something special for everyone watching, both here and around the world."
Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association President Garth Gayle also voiced his support for the event, stating Jamaica's legacy as the deciding factor in Kingston being chosen as the debut city for GST.
"As the governing body for the sport, we see this as a testament to our past and present athletes, whose achievements and legacy have established Jamaica as the track capital of the world. This event also marks an important milestone for the development of our future athletes, who will benefit from the opportunity to see the world's greatest track stars up close and personal," said Gayle.
Three Jamaicans, Rushell Clayton, Roshawn Clarke and Ackera Nugent, are part of the growing list of GST Racers who will compete for a grand prize of US$100,000 for each GST slam win.
