When you think of Jamaican track and field, Usain Bolt is undoubtedly the first name that comes to mind, and for good reason. He’s not just an athlete; he’s a living legend. With eight Olympic gold medals, Bolt truly lived by the saying, “For me, I live to make my country proud.” Between 2008 and 2016, he maintained his supremacy in the 100-meter race by clinching gold medals in three Olympic Games. His remarkable feat of setting a world record of 9.58 seconds in 2009 remains a milestone to this day. However, when Bolt retired in 2017, the pressure was on to see who would step up to fill his shoes in the next Olympics. And boom, Jamaica lost it without Bolt.

In the 2020 Olympics, Jamaica lost the gold to Italy’s Marcell Jacobs; they even lost silver and bronze too, which led some to wonder: Is Jamaica’s track and field future over? As the 2024 Paris Olympics approached, the same question began to arise again. But Jamaica’s legacy is far from over. The island has the winning genes, and from this rich tradition, a new star has emerged. As Michael Johnson aptly put it, there is “a new king” rising, bringing fresh hope for Jamaica’s sprinting future.

Johnson weighs in on Thompson’s potential

Jamaica and the United States are, without doubt, home to some of the fastest runners in the world today. In the Paris Olympics, the new hope for Jamaica was Kishane Thompson, a 23-year-old athlete who nearly made history at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Thompson, who emerged onto the global stage this year, proved he has what it takes to challenge the world’s best.

During the men’s 100m final, he faced off against the American pride, Noah Lyles, who had dominated the year. In a thrilling finale that had hearts racing with anticipation and excitement, Lyles emerged victorious with a time of 9.79 seconds. This race marked one of the most contested Olympic 100-meter finishes ever recorded, as Thompson also completed the race in an identical time of 9.79 seconds. In the blink of an eye, both sprinters showcased a performance. Ultimately, it was Lyles who clinched the coveted gold medal.

The difference in time was razor-thin—just five thousandths of a second. Both sprinters clocked 9.79 seconds, but Lyles was officially recorded at 9.784, while Thompson’s time was 9.789. It was so close, it was a photo finish, and it was nearly impossible to tell who had crossed the line first. And then Lyles secured the gold in the men’s 100 meters event to claim victory for America for the first time since Justin Gatlin won in 2004, while Jamaica narrowly missed out on the spot and had to settle for the silver medal once more.

During that period, a separate competition was taking place away from the race track. Netflix was in the process of producing a documentary series titled “Sprint: The World’s Fastest Humans,” presented by Phil Turner. The series delves into the competition between American and Jamaican sprinters, a theme that deeply interested Turner. Surprisingly, American icon Michael Johnson viewed Kishane Thompson as a challenge to supremacy; this revelation came to light in the Netflix show.

Johnson shared his thoughts, saying, “People are saying that he’s come out of nowhere. He hasn’t come out of nowhere; he’s run past times before, but he’s just run very sparingly this year. He’s being introduced to the world, but Kishane is the mystery man. I don’t think—I mean, he’s not out there much. I haven’t met him; I don’t know anyone who has.” It’s clear Johnson believes Kishane is someone who could go far, and many would agree that he’s capable of great things.

Kishane, however, responded humbly to the attention, saying, “Honestly, I understand why people expected it, but I’m not really like an outspoken person or person to, like, you know, always be seen as a reserved and chill person, but I understand.” Despite his low-key demeanor, it’s clear that Kishane is quietly making waves and ready to let his talent speak for itself.

Michael Johnson added about the rivalry between the U.S. and Jamaica, saying, “The Jamaicans want to get back on top, especially seeing how the Americans have been dominating. They want a new king. His words hint at a renewed hunger in Jamaican sprinting, and many see Kishane Thompson as the next in line to challenge for the crown. However, sixteen years ago, the 2008 Olympics appeared to be America’s time to shine. The U.S. had the reigning world champion, Tyson Gay, who had dominated the 100, 200, and 4×100 at the previous World Championships, and he was expected to be one of the biggest stars in Beijing.

But just before the Olympics, a young Jamaican who had never run the 100 meters in a global championship started clocking astonishingly fast times. Gay, although having a strong season, suffered a hamstring injury that left him less than his best. But even if he had been at full strength, it likely wouldn’t have mattered. That young Jamaican, Usain Bolt, took center stage and wouldn’t relinquish it for years to come. And now it is Kishane’s turn.

Today, Kishane is the world leader with a 9.77, faster than Noah Lyles has ever run. As Johnson puts it, “Kishane’s confidence right now has to be just soaring because he is obviously the new Jamaican hope for gold.” However, Michael Johnson’s backing of Jamaica extends beyond words—he has demonstrated his confidence in the nation’s track prospects by organizing a track event aimed at elevating the sport to greater levels.

Michael Johnson Reviving the USA-Jamaica Rivalry

Johnson has recently unveiled an initiative aimed at revolutionizing the track and field with the introduction of the Grand Slam Track (GST) League. The objective is to elevate track and field beyond the confines of the Olympics by providing athletes with increased visibility and sponsorship prospects on a scale. However, Johnson’s strategy isn’t about shining a spotlight on athletes; it’s also reigniting the rivalry between the USA and Jamaica, creating anticipation among fans for a season that is already generating excitement.

On November 11, Michael Johnson announced that Kingston, Jamaica, would host the very first GST event in April 2025. As Johnson put it, “Jamaica has such a strong history in this sport. The talent and love for track here make it a perfect fit for what we’re building.” It’s a big move, especially coming from a four-time Olympic gold medalist from the U.S. Picking Jamaica over a U.S. location to kick off this event has stirred up a mix of excitement and rivalry, with some American fans feeling a bit left out while others love the international edge this could bring.

The Kingston Slam is scheduled for April 4-6, 2025, at the National Stadium at Independence Park. Jamaica Athletics Association president Garth Gayle couldn’t hide his excitement, saying, “We’re proud and thrilled Kingston will host the very first Grand Slam Track event.” The GST League will feature 48 top athletes, called the GST Racers, signed to annual contracts, plus 48 GST Challengers competing on appearance fees. With $12.6 million in prize money, Johnson’s vision is shaking up track and field, bringing a fresh competitive edge and reigniting the USA-Jamaica showdown we all know and love.