Track and field has always been the underdog of the sports world—fewer races, hardly any airtime, and prize money that barely covers the flight home. But Michael Johnson, the four-time Olympic gold medalist who’s lived the grind, envisioned something that would put Track and Field back on the map by launching Grand Slam Track, a bold new vision to breathe life back into the sport. Johnson even compared the GST with UFC and Formula One, saying, “Grand Slam Track is the equivalent of UFC and Formula One.” Now, as we witnessed Johnson’s vision debuting on April 4 in Kingston, Jamaica, was the outcome even close to the hype?

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, Gabby Thomas, Marileidy Paulino, and others. The Grand Slam Track was stacked with all the track and field stars. A couple of days before the event, Johnson was also hyped to see a potential Sydney vs Paulino faceoff and explained why the GST is a one-of-a-kind event. “Our format is unique, where athletes have to run multiple races,” Johnson said. “We have Marileidy Paulino, who’s the Olympic champion in the 400, who’s going to have to run against Sydney in that 400. So it’s a really interesting format.”

Now, you’d think with all the hype flooding the internet just days before the race—clips, promos, and a star-studded lineup featuring Sydney, Gabby, Masai Russell, Cole Hocker, and more—it’d be standing-room only, right? The energy online was electric. It felt like track and field was finally about to have its moment. And to kick it all off? Gabby Thomas lined up for the women’s 200m. First race of the whole Grand Slam Track series. All eyes are on her. You could almost feel the buzz through the screen only!

Well, Gabby did not disappoint and did what she does best—came off the bend behind Dina Asher-Smith, hit the gas, and stormed to the win in 22.62 seconds. Paulino was second, Asher-Smith third. Solid race. Great start. Enough to make the noise. However, this seems to be another failed attempt at making track and field a mainstream sport. Well, not really, because the reality was underwhelming.

When Thomas crossed the finish line, she was met with resounding…silence. No roar from the crowd. Hardly any clapping. Nothing. Why? Because… there was no crowd. The stands were nearly empty. For the launch of something meant to save the sport, it was a rough wake-up call. And yeah, the track and field world noticed. Big time.

Even $10 couldn’t buy cheers for Gabby Thomas

One fan said what everyone was thinking: “I was definitely expecting a much bigger crowd for this Kingston leg of the Grand Slam Track. Not sure why there aren’t many people in the stadium.” Another didn’t hold back either: “I’m really up for Grand Slam Track, but can we please call the 200m the 200m, not the ‘Long Sprint’? The empty stadium in Jamaica isn’t a good look. I hope it works because athletics needs a kick up the bum.” And honestly, they’ve got a point. Launching in Jamaica wasn’t some random pick—Michael Johnson knew exactly what he was doing. If you’re gonna start a new era in track, why not do it in the heart of sprinting country?

Jamaica doesn’t just like track and field—it eats, sleeps, and breathes it. This is the home of legends like Usain Bolt, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, Elaine Thompson-Herah, and Asafa Powell. It’s where the track is more than a sport—it’s part of the culture. So, when the first Grand Slam Track race went down at Kingston’s National Stadium—a place that holds 35,000—and barely anyone showed up? Yeah, that stung. Outside of the athletes’ families and a few scattered fans, the place was basically empty. For a country that usually brings the noise, this was way too quiet.

And that whole “Long Sprint” label for Gabby Thomas’ race? That’s just Grand Slam Track trying to be different. They’re grouping events by style—short sprint, long sprint, middle distance, endurance, you get the idea. So the women’s 200m gets tossed into the “long sprint” bucket with the 400m. It’s supposed to make things easier for casual fans, but to die-hard track lovers? It just sounds weird.

One fan didn’t sugarcoat it, dropping, “Grand Slam Track: Empty stadiums, slow times, and boring races. I don’t think this crap will last three years.” Ouch. A little brutal, right? But long before the starter’s gun went off in Kingston, Michael Johnson had already pitched his dream loud and clear. “Grand Slam Track is the equivalent of UFC and Formula One,” he said. He was banking on the same magic that makes people tune in for the Olympics—stakes, stars, and stories.

And the matchups? Let’s just say Johnson knew what he was doing. Gabby Thomas, Olympic 200m champ trading blows with Marileidy Paulino, who shattered the 400m Olympic record in Paris last year. Then there’s Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, who’s been untouchable lately—but flashback to when Dalilah Muhammad had the upper hand, world record and all. That’s not just a race—it’s a saga. Johnson’s serving up drama with every heat.

Over on the men’s side, things are just as spicy. Kenny Bednarek and Fred Kerley are locking horns—Bednarek’s got the 200m edge, winning 78% of his past battles, while Kerley’s holding court in the 100m. And just when you think it’s a Team USA party, in come the Jamaicans—Oblique Seville and Ackeem Blake—ready to stir things up. Because what’s a sprint showdown without some island fire, right?

Fans didn’t hold back, and the empty stands were impossible to ignore. One asked, “Was the Grand Slam Track supposed to have these empty seats?” Another added, “They should’ve just given out free tickets for the optics. Doesn’t look good for the ‘sprint capital of the world’ to have an empty stadium—you can literally count the number of fans in the stands.” And then came the real sting: “Jamaica is the sprint capital they say, but they ain’t even supporting Grand Slam Track. Sad.” Oof. The truth?

Tickets were on sale—from $10 for a one-day pass to $200 for all three days in Kingston—but despite the decent pricing, the buzz just didn’t translate to butts in seats.  And that’s wild, considering this was the debut of something huge, with Olympic champs Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone and Gabby Thomas headlining the action. If those two can’t pull a crowd in a place that lives and breathes sprinting, it’s not the athletes—it’s the setup. Now the pressure’s on for the next stop. Will fans show up, or will this ambitious track experiment keep running on empty?