Anticipation is steadily building for an exhilarating new athletics competition masterminded by the iconic former sprinter Michael Johnson. This groundbreaking event, named the Grand Slam Track, promises to bring fresh energy to the world of athletics with a series of exciting competitions. Four ‘Slams’ have been organized in three prominent US cities—Miami, Philadelphia, and Los Angeles—as well as an inaugural event in Kingston, Jamaica. In addition to these, another Slam is set to take place in the United States, alongside two more scheduled international locations.
The event is set to showcase some of the biggest names in athletics, drawing attention from fans and athletes alike. Among the participants are the double Olympic champion 400m hurdler Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone and British Olympic 1500m silver medallist Josh Kerr. British representation continues with Daryll Neita, a silver medallist from the 2024 Olympic 4x100m relay, ensuring that fierce competition among nations is not to be missed. Other noteworthy names include sprinters Kenny Bednarek and Fred Kerley, who are famous for their exceptional performances on the track.
For viewers in the United Kingdom, the excitement can be experienced live through TNT Sports and discovery+. This provides a perfect platform for athletics enthusiasts to watch the action as it unfolds in real time.
### Grand Slam Track Schedule
The schedule for the Grand Slam Track events has been meticulously planned, spanning over several weekends. The competition kicks off on Friday, April 4, starting at 11 PM BST. The subsequent days feature competitions on Saturday, April 5, at the same time, followed by Sunday, April 6, commencing at 8 PM BST. After a brief intermission, the events will resume on Friday, May 2, with further competitions scheduled for May 3 and May 4, starting at 10 PM and 8 PM BST, respectively. The series continues with events on May 30, 31, and June 1, concluding the first set of competitions before resuming in late June.
### Format of Grand Slam Track
Each Slam is designed to feature six event categories for both male and female participants. The events encompass two disciplines that occur over the course of a single weekend. Each category comprises eight competitors; four of whom are designated as ‘Grand Slam Racers,’ while the remaining four are ‘Grand Slam Challengers.’ The carefully curated categories include various popular events, such as Short Sprints, Short Hurdles, Long Sprints, Long Hurdles, Short Distance, and Long Distance races.
Athletes will compete in both events within their formulated discipline, meaning that a participant specializing in short distances will run in both the 100m and 200m. Scoring will be determined based on the athletes’ performances in a given set of events, with points awarded for placements in each race. The scoring system will allocate points in descending order from 10 for 1st place to 1 for 8th place, with the total score from both events determining the rankings. In the event of ties, the athletes’ combined running times will be used as a tiebreaker. Importantly, points scored will not carry over from one Slam to the next, maintaining a fresh competitive environment each time.
### Prize Money
Adding further incentive for excellence, substantial prize money will be distributed among the competitors based on their performance. The financial rewards are tiered, with the first-place winner receiving an impressive $100,000. This is followed by $50,000 for the runner-up, $30,000 for third place, and $25,000 for the fourth position. Additional positions down to eighth place offer financial rewards, ensuring that significant gains are made for outstanding athletic performances.
### How to Watch Grand Slam Track
For viewers eager to remain in the loop, TNT Sports makes it easy to follow the Grand Slam Track. Available across major television platforms, TNT Sports offers a combination of up to four primary channels along with six digital channels. Subscriptions can be made through various services like discovery+, BT, EE, Sky, and Virgin Media. This accessibility allows fans to enjoy exhilarating sports action, whether live or on-demand, through a range of platforms including discovery+.
As the dates approach, excitement builds around the Grand Slam Track, promising a showcase of elite athletics like never before.