Oh, Michael Johnson knew exactly what he was doing when he posted, “My apologies to the safety pin industry!” on X today. That tongue-in-cheek remark wasn’t just a jab at tradition—it was a bold mic drop for the launch of Grand Slam Track (GST), a revolutionary new league that’s already shaking up the sport.

Gone are the days of awkward paper bibs flapping in the wind. Instead, athletes at GST strutted onto the track with stick-on IDs—sleek, minimalist, and proudly displaying their names across their custom kits. It’s a small detail, but one that speaks volumes. GST is here to change the game, not just in presentation but in every way. And if the kits were futuristic, the Day 1 performances were downright electric.

From the moment the first starter’s pistol cracked through the air, it was clear: this wasn’t just a spectacle. It was serious competition, with serious stakes—one of the biggest prize purses in athletics history on the line. Every athlete had something to prove, and the energy was palpable. And when we’re talking about athletes, the list includes names like Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, Gabby Thomas, and many others. 

Yet another day in office for Gabby Thomas and Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone 

April 5 at Grand Slam Track? Pure fire. Let’s talk about how Gabby Thomas and Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone set the tone—then completely shattered it.

The day kicked off with Gabby in the women’s 200m, and while the camera angle might’ve had fans squinting at their screens (GST, please, we need a better view of greatness), there was no missing the smooth power Gabby brought to the track. The newly painted surface at Jamaica’s National Stadium shimmered, and Gabby made sure it wasn’t just the track turning heads. She clocked 22.62 seconds—a commanding win that earned her 12 points and a dominance score of 53.00. Solid. Confident. Just what you expect from an Olympic medalist.

But just when you thought that might be the day’s peak…Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone stepped onto the track for the women’s 400m hurdles, and everything shifted.

There was tension. There was history. Because Dalilah Muhammad, the former Olympic champ and Sydney’s long-time rival, was in the blocks too. Their past duels? Legendary. But this time, there was no plot twist—Sydney owned it from the gun.

Dalilah put up a fight, finishing in 54.59 seconds, but Sydney? She dropped an APRIL BOMBSHELL: 52.76 seconds, smashing through the 53-second barrier like it was paper. That’s not just a win—that’s a record. And her dominance score? A whopping 73.00. That’s 20 points higher than Gabby’s and a clear message to the rest of the world: Sydney is already in championship mode—and it’s only April. The day, however, wasn’t the same for Fred Kerley. The two-time Olympic medalist could have had a memorable finish on Friday. But things didn’t go as expected. 

Fred Kerley’s Grand Slam Track opening didn’t go as expected 

“When the time comes, I’ll be ready for the next race — and the next race is tomorrow.” Those words crackled with confidence and defiance — classic Fred Kerley energy. And he meant every syllable. On Friday, under the spotlight in a stacked 100m showdown featuring heavyweights like Kenny Bednarek and Oblique Seville, Kerley stepped up with fire in his eyes.

But the result didn’t match the hype. Clocking 10.30 seconds, Kerley finished 7th — a surprising result for the Olympic silver medalist. Still, if you thought a rough day at the office would shake his resolve, think again. Unshaken and unfazed, Kerley stood tall after the race, eyes already locked on his next mission: the 200m. ‘I’ll be back,’ he vowed, with the same grit that’s made him one of the most electric sprinters of his generation. While the sprinters brought the fireworks, the distance runners delivered the finesse — and none shone brighter than Grant Fisher.

On Day 1, the Olympic finalist reminded everyone why he’s one of America’s most elite distance stars. In the men’s 5,000m, Fisher ran with control, class, and just the right touch of swagger, surging ahead to claim victory in 14:39.14. It wasn’t about chasing records — it was about winning with intent. Fisher bided his time, then turned on the jets when it mattered most, leaving the field behind and taking command of the race with surgical precision. Ultimately, it was a performance that didn’t scream for attention — it demanded respect. And on Friday, Grant Fisher got plenty of it, standing tall at the top of the podium with more to prove and bigger goals ahead.