Grand Slam Track is all set for its mega debut soon! But before that could happen, the track fans were in for a surprising revelation. And it’s bringing the mastermind, Michael Johnson, under fire once again. Michael Johnson’s GST kicks off in Jamaica in April. And we already have a list of names for the four-event meet. Yes, the GST is stacked with star faces, and that’s one of their biggest USPs. But recently, when they announced a new broadcast deal with Discovery (Warner Bros) for the European and Asian audience, fans in the UK and Ireland remained furious that they’d have to pay £23 a month or £276 a year to access the event. MJ and his GST received a lot of flak for that decision. After all, the new change could seriously shake things up for the sport. So, curious to know what the GST has up its sleeve. PS: A big twist awaits!

As per Rori Dunk, the organizers of Michael Johnson’s Grand Slam Track are proposing a head-on track battle between the top 8 fastest high school runners from the ISSA/Grace Kennedy Boys’ and Girls’ Athletics Championships to be made part of their schedule. If adopted, the speediest runners in three events—the 100m, 200m, and 400m—shall be picked and invited to the Grand Slam Track, as per the meet’s venue manager, Don Lockerbie. Lockerbie, a former NCAA-level athlete and coach, believes this initiative could help enhance the sport in Jamaica and also globally since it is set to be broadcast in over 100 countries.

But this proposal is not sitting well with the fans! Because the Champs are scheduled to be held just a week before the GST, fans are concerned about the kids being drained and burnt out. One of them commented, “Not mad at the initiative, way too close to Champs though. Let those kids rest.” Well, it’s not just the fans, the organizers themselves have a hunch that not all athletes will choose to show up for this meet. Thus, they’ll be looking at the top 12 or 16 athletes from the Champs, and they’ll go in order of performance until they lock in 8 runners.

But, well, there are perks. Yes, the organizers are offering some great incentives for the athletes to say ‘yes.’ Firstly, they will get a mirrored treatment as the professionals at Michael Johnson’s GST. Yes, this means the high school kids will be dropped off at the athlete’s hotel. Also, they’ll get their credentials and gift bags, and buses to move to and fro from the drop-off arena at the Stadium East.

What’s more? Incentives! The high school runners will get incentives for showing up at the GST. How much? That’s yet to be decided. Lockerbie said, “While we haven’t finalised all the incentives, I’ll be having meetings in the next week with our team about what we might do in the way of awards, and we think that the awards might be cash contributions that we would give to the schools through ISSA that might be helpful for some of the athletes who are going to Penn [Relays], we would help, I think, by some form of an awards plan.” 

But here’s what the fans are still concerned about. There are some reasons why Michael Johnson’s GST is still coming in the line of fire with this decision.

Did Michael Johnson’s high school runner plan backfire?

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Well, mixed emotions are looming over this initiative proposed by the Grand Slam Track. On one hand, there are Olympic medalist athletes like Vernon Norwood who reacted by saying, “I like this 🔥.” But on the other hand, some of the fans reacted with, “No!! Especially if the kids not making no money. Also No cause that is what Champs is for and the kids need to relax and prep for Penn Relay which is a week or 2 from that time.”

Well, the fan does have a point. The high school athletes have important competitions lined up during the same month. And while appearing at Michael Johnson’s GST will be an experience of a lifetime, it might drain them ahead of key competitions. But some corrections for the fan here. The athletes might be paid some money since the incentives are currently under discussion.

But looking at the brighter side, this seems a fruitful decision. “Once the schools will be benefiting…investment in their T&F training programs …not a bad idea at all. This exposure with international Pro athletes will be good for the kids.” With names like Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, Gabby Thomas, Masai Russell, and others in the list, the GST will give a once-in-a-lifetime chance to these young speedsters to get great track exposure. Also, it will give a boost to the local track programs in terms of visibility and investment. So it’s not really a bad idea.

Well, this breakthrough is now making fans excited about the possibility of more out-of-the-box ideas that Michael Johnson’s GST may bring forward. One of them commented, “Now that’s interesting. We all wanna see what’s coming in the pipeline. I do feel GST will need to venture outside the Americas next season though, but this could be a great opportunity for host cities to show off their young talent alongside the established ones.” Some are guessing that not just America, but next year onwards, the GST will make empowering track and field its motto way beyond America too.

And given the fact that the high school runners will be aged between 12 and 15, the fans are excited about how this will help inspire the next generation of runners. The fan said, “I’m fascinated by the prospect of filling out the itinerary with youth and inspiring them at the same time by being on the same roster as their heroes. That would be a win for GST in my book. They won’t replace the Olympics as the big prize but a celebration of track is welcome.”

Well, what do you think about this move planned by Michael Johnson and Co.? Should it materialize or not? Let us know below!