Imagine a world where track and field athletes are treated like tennis, NBA, or NFL stars, with millions in prize money, electrifying events, and a global spotlight like never before. That’s exactly what track and field legend Michael Johnson is bringing to life with the Grand Slam Track League. A groundbreaking event is set to debut in April 2025. With Noah Lyles notably absent from the lineup, fans are left wondering who will step up next. But a top American sprinter has now made a bold move, but what is it? And what’s the response? Also, was that enough to seal the deal?

Vernon L. Norwood, a decorated 400m specialist, took to Twitter on 18th February to ask, “How many RTs I need to get in @GrandSlamTrack ???” This was a playful yet serious attempt to grab the attention of Johnson and his league. And this wasn’t it, as Johnson was quick to send an equally hilarious and intriguing response. While replying to the same tweet, the three-time Olympian said, “Commissioner retweet should count for more than one!“It certainly hinted that Norwood’s enthusiasm did not go unnoticed.

And why shouldn’t he be selected? Norwood isn’t just any athlete! But he is a 2x Olympic champion, a 4x world champion, an Olympic Games silver medalist, a 1x world indoor champion, and whatnot! He has personal best timings of 20.47 in 200 m, 32.39 in 300 m, 44.10 in 400 m, and 1:00.11 in 500 m. Also, he has excelled in the 600 m, 800 m, 100 m, 200 m, and 400 m relays. Thus, proving that he isn’t just any athlete, but he is a true definition of versatility.

His achievements speak for themselves. He has proven time and again that he belongs on the biggest stages in track and field. With such an impressive resume, did he really need a viral tweet to make his case? Probably not. But Norwood made it fun, and his lighthearted approach only added to the excitement surrounding the Grand Slam Track League.

According to an update a few hours back, GST posted on their X account, “YOU DID IT @Vernon400m (emoji).” Yes, the wait is over, and the champion made it! The Grand Slam Track League officially selected him, proving that both talent and personality have a place in this new era of track and field. But do you know how many retweets it took? According to the CITIUS MAG, it was 400! Most probably it was just a fun way to further hype GST. And absolutely they nailed it!

Vernon is in, but for now, Noah Lyles is clearly missing from the league, there are other big names who have given their nod!

Is Grand Slam Track a game-changer for track and field?

The Grand Slam Track League is being hailed as the next big thing for track and field, giving athletes not only the chance to compete at the highest level but also the recognition they deserve. The format promises an engaging experience for fans, making track meets more than just races—they’ll be thrilling, high-stakes showdowns.

Athletes are already buzzing with excitement. The current Olympic 200m champion Gabby Thomas shared her enthusiasm on the league’s official YouTube channel ‘Grand Slam Track’ about two weeks ago, saying, “…..Grand Slam will showcase all of the talent that we have in track, and I think it’ll be a great opportunity for people to see us run.” It’s clear that this league isn’t just about competition, but it’s about putting track stars in the limelight like never before.

For some athletes, the Grand Slam Track League is already becoming one of the biggest events of the year. Hurdler Masai Russell made it clear in an interview uploaded on the YouTube channel ‘Citius Mag’ a week ago that she has set her sights on the Grand Slam over the World Indoor Championship. She said, “World Indoors is very close to the first Grand Slam so for me personally you know the goal is September.” She referred to the World Championship going to be held in Tokyo this September. But it seems she is also looking forward to GST!

Jamaican hurdler Rushell Clayton perfectly captured the excitement surrounding the debut season of Grand Slam Track. She described it in an interview with the CEO of Citius Magas in November 2024: “Imagine you standing on a track as a foreigner and an entire country is cheering for you, not really knowing who you are, but they’re just excited because the track is so much fun and everybody’s included.” This kind of electric atmosphere is what the Grand Slam Track League promises to deliver. It will probably bring fans closer to the action and make track and field more engaging than ever before.

So, what do you think? Will the Grand Slam Track League change the future of track and field? And why do you think Noah Lyles isn’t competing? Comment below and let’s talk about it!