Sun Apr 06 21:20:00 UTC 2025: **Grand Slam Track Series Kicks Off in Kingston, Jamaica**
KINGSTON, JAMAICA – The inaugural Grand Slam Track series, a new athletics competition spearheaded by Olympic champion Michael Johnson, launched its first three-day meet in Kingston, Jamaica this weekend, airing live on Peacock. The series features top-tier sprinters, hurdlers, and distance runners competing across four meets – Kingston, Miami, Philadelphia, and Los Angeles – with athletes earning points based on their performance in each event.
The Kingston meet showcases a star-studded lineup, including American Olympic gold medalists Gabby Thomas, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, Masai Russell, and Cole Hocker, alongside a strong international contingent. Each athlete competes twice over the three days. Athletes are divided into six event groups, ranging from short sprints (100m and 200m) to long distance (3000m and 5000m). Twenty-four elite male and female “Racers” are committed to all four Grand Slams, supplemented by “Challengers” at each individual meet to fill out the fields.
Key matchups in Kingston include:
* **Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone** in the women’s 400m hurdles, aiming to continue her record-breaking streak.
* **Masai Russell**, along with fellow Olympic medalists, in the women’s 100m hurdles.
* A highly anticipated men’s 1500m race featuring all three Olympic medalists and the Olympic 800m gold and silver medalists.
* **Gabby Thomas** competing in the women’s 400m against Olympic 400m champion Marileidy Paulino.
A season champion for both men and women will be crowned at the end of the series. The remaining Grand Slam meets will take place in Miami (May 2-4), Philadelphia (May 30-June 1), and Los Angeles (June 27-29), all live on Peacock.
First Piper 