“I want the races to mean something…I want to put on a show. I want to show my fans why I am the greatest.” Those words from Michael Johnson aren’t just talk—they’re a mindset. Track and field isn’t just about collecting medals; it’s about making a statement every time you step on the track. The greats don’t just race—they put on a show. And if a meeting doesn’t feel like a big deal? Some athletes just skip it. That’s exactly the kind of criticism Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone has faced. Fans and critics alike have called her out for not competing enough, for being too selective with her races. But this weekend? That’s about to change.

For the first time in her career, Levrone is kicking off her outdoor season this early, and she’s doing it on a brand-new stage: Michael Johnson’s Grand Slam Track league. The first-ever meet takes place April 4-6 in Kingston, Jamaica, and Levrone was the first athlete signed to the league. That alone says a lot. Her season timing has shifted dramatically since last year she opened her season at the Oxy Invitational on May 4 in Los Angeles. And now, the same athlete plans to start her season earlier by one month to demonstrate she brings strength beyond championship races into every competition.

And people are paying attention. CITIUS MAG took to X, saying: “It will be very, very, very difficult to take down Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone in either the 400m or 400m hurdles. She was the first star signed to the league, and now she’s ready to silence the critics who said she didn’t race enough.”

The intriguing aspect emerges because Levrone has never participated in a 400m hurdles race at this early point in the season. The last time she even raced hurdles events this early was in 2021, where she clocked a 13.03 personal record in the 100m hurdles, followed by a 51.16 run in the 400m two weeks later. That year? Levrone established a world record along with an Olympic gold medal during her competition in the Tokyo Olympics. According to historical records an early season Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone represents a dangerous Levrone.

But this isn’t just about proving a point—it’s also about big money. Michael Johnson isn’t just creating a new league; he’s putting serious cash on the line. The prize? $100,000 per event winner. And if Levrone takes both the 400m and 400m hurdles, she’s walking away with a $200,000 payday. That’s not just a check—that’s a power move. Sydney has always been strategic about when and where she races, and now, she’s making sure every step on that track counts.

 Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone skipped the indoor season, but she’s coming back with something to prove. Fresh off defending her 400m hurdles Olympic title at Paris 2024, she’s ready to remind the world exactly why she’s the best. The critics wanted to see her race more? And here she is, all locked in! But Johnson’s choice to select Levrone as the first signee for his league got enough criticism but…

Doubters questioned, but Johnson never wavered on Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone

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When Michael Johnson decided to sign Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone for his Grand Slam Track team, he had a precise plan in mind because he stood firm against any opposition. In an interview with Citius Mag’s Chris Chavez, Johnson admitted, “She doesn’t race enough. She doesn’t like to race. And that upsets us as fans.”

Just like any typical fan, he approached Levrone to ask about her frequent absences. Her answer? “I want to but I want it to mean something.” But not everyone saw things the way he did. Someone delivered a direct warning to him by saying, “She was the wrong person to go get.” Johnson’s response? A sarcastic “Oh, so I should go get the person that actually always runs and runs every single race to prove that.” Yeah, that logic wasn’t landing with him. Johnson sought someone more profound than a racer who collected victories because he wanted to grow the sport through legendary performances with a vibrant competition star. And Levrone? She got it.

“It is putting our athletes out there on a stage where the world can see them, whether it’s in the track meets when they’re competing, or whether it’s things outside of that that brings exposure to them, brings exposure to us, and brings exposure to the sport.” She understood the assignment, which is exactly why she was one of the first athletes to sign on. Johnson isn’t just building a league—he’s creating a platform where the biggest names shine, and Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone? She’s about to prove why she belongs in the spotlight.