Choosing Jamaica Over America, Michael Johnson Puts Track and Field Community in Splits Over Grand Slam Track: “Interesting Choice”

Kingston, the hometown of Usain Bolt, is really in the spotlight these days, especially after Michael Johnson threw his hat in the ring with a game-changing idea. He’s launched the Grand Slam Track (GST) League, aiming to take track and field to new heights, promote the sport beyond the Olympics, and give athletes a leg up with more exposure and sponsorship deals. But what’s really got track and field fans talking is that this league has reignited the legendary USA vs. Jamaica rivalry, bringing the heat for an exciting season ahead!

On November 11, Michael Johnson dropped some big news—Kingston, Jamaica, will host the inaugural Grand Slam Track competition in April 2025. In his words, “Jamaica has such a strong history in this sport. The talent and the love for the sport here make it a perfect fit for what we’re building.” Despite being an American four-time Olympic gold medalist, Johnson chose Jamaica over the U.S. to kick off this major event, and it’s sparked some serious buzz. While the idea is to connect athletes with fans and grow the sport, it’s ruffling a few feathers, especially among American track fans who are a bit troubled by the rivalry between the U.S. and Jamaica that this could reignite.

The Kingston Slam is set to take place at the National Stadium at Independence Park from April 4-6, 2025. Garth Gayle, the president of the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association, couldn’t contain his excitement, saying, “We are proud and excited that Kingston has been selected to host the very first Grand Slam Track event.” He added that it’s a huge nod to Jamaica’s rich track history and the incredible athletes who’ve put the country on the map as a global track powerhouse.

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However, the Grand Slam Track League plans to sign 48 athletes, called GST Racers, to contracts, with another 48 athletes—GST Challengers—coming in for each event on appearance fees. The Racers will participate in all four Slams annually. They will receive a fixed salary along with the prize money they earn in each event they compete in.

Johnson aims to elevate the sport by offering a total of $12.6 million as prize money throughout these tournaments. However, though his aims revolve around expanding track and field, the decision hasn’t gone down too well with some U.S. fans, who feel like they’re being left out, while others are actually excited about the fresh competition and international flavor this could bring.

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One fan excitedly commented, “This gone be good Boom Boom Boom Let’s Go 💨💨💨💨“—and they’re not wrong! It’s truly going to be an electrifying event. Jamaica, despite its small size and limited track facilities, has long been known for producing some of the fastest athletes on the planet. In fact, Jamaica is a bit of a paradox. In under 10 seconds, Jamaican sprinters can zip past the competition like a bolt (pun intended) of lightning, having set world records in the 100m, 200m, and more. This petite yet powerful nation, which thrives on speed and never stays still, has earned its reputation as a track and field powerhouse.

There’s a saying in Jamaica: “We likkle, but we tallawah,” which translates to, “We may be small, but we are strong, we are mighty, and we can do anything.” It’s a sentiment that’s proudly displayed on a billboard beside the Usain Bolt running track in Kingston, where world-class Jamaican athletes continue to train.

One fan nailed it: “Been us vs Jamaica for years. Bout damn time an international competition is held there.” And honestly, it feels like this rivalry just won’t quit. The U.S. and Jamaica have been dominating the 100m dash for years, and it’s clear this battle isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. Since 1984, either a U.S. or Jamaican athlete has claimed Olympic gold in the event. While the U.S. has historically led with approx. 16 golds in the men’s race and nine (approx.) in the women’s, Jamaica’s been on fire lately, sweeping three of the last four Olympics.

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One more fan put it perfectly, saying, “Jamaica 🇯🇲 deserves this honour. They have done exceptionally well in the last 20 years (give or take).” Another fan chimed in, “Time to establish ourselves as a Sports Capital.” And honestly, they’ve got a point. Jamaica’s track and field athletes have been dominating the world stage for decades, yet the country hasn’t had the spotlight it deserves when it comes to hosting major international competitions—until now. Despite being a small island nation, Jamaica has produced some of the fastest athletes in history, from Usain Bolt to Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, and has a proud legacy in the sport.

One fan expressed their hopes for the upcoming event, saying, “I sincerely hope Grand Slam Track gets the support when it makes its inaugural debut in Kingston, Jamaica, next April. Jamaicans aren’t really big track fans, and so I hope the handful of real track heads go out and support. That, along with international fans of the sport. This is nice for Jamaica, the home of world-class sprinters and sprinting.” This fan brings up an important point—while Jamaica has a long history of producing world-class sprinters, the country hasn’t always been known for its track and field fanbase. Sure, Jamaicans are proud of their athletes, but the country’s sports culture has often been more focused on football and cricket.

But not everyone shares that concern. One final fan expressed excitement about the whole thing, saying, “Interesting choice, can’t wait.” And it’s easy to see why. The decision to hold the event in Kingston carries significance—it’s more than Jamaica’s history in track and field; it provides an opportunity for the nation to establish a future centered on this sport discipline. If the supporters turn up enthusiastically for the event, this could mark the beginning of a development paving the way for Kingston to emerge as a global destination for track and field activities in the future.