Amusan out as Nugent confirmed as fourth 100m hurdler signed on for Grand Slam Track
Jamaica’s world fastest 100m hurdler in 2024, Ackera Nugent has been confirmed as the fourth and final sprint hurdler to compete as a ‘racer’ in Grand Slam Track, the new global home of professional track competition, launched earlier this year by four-time US Olympic Champion Michael Johnson.
The competition, expected to start next year, will have Nugent who ran a 12.24 world lead at the Golden Gala Diamond League meeting in Rome, Italy as the fourth racer in the 100m hurdles following the confirmation of the signing of the three podium athletes at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Former Olympic champion and bronze medalist in Paris, Jasmine Camacho-Quinn, reigning Olympic champion, Masai Russell and silver medalist, Cyrena Samba-Mayela.
The four athletes will be among the 48 racers that will be signed on for the money-spinning competition offering the biggest prize purse in track and field.
All confirmed racers will commit to racing in all four Slams per year. They will receive an annual base compensation for racing in each Slam and are eligible for full prize money.
According to the organizers, ‘these Racers will receive annual contracts, access to the Grand Slam Track content and data services team, inclusion in the league collective, group licensing and new revenue opportunities, plus access to world class athlete support services throughout the season.’
With the four slots for the 100m hurdles taken up, as it were, Nigeria’s Tobi Amusan, the fastest woman in the history of the event at 12.12 will only qualify for one of the slots for the additional four athletes that will come in as ‘challengers’ who will be paid a set appearance fee to compete at individual Slams.
Meanwhile, Nugent, whose 12.24 has made her the fourth fastest woman in the history of the event, says the Grand Slam Track will give her the opportunity to continue to grow.
‘For me, it’s all about growth. I’m constantly looking for ways to get better, and Grand Slam Track gives me the platform to do just that. Racing at this level, over and over, against the best in the world, is what I’ve always wanted, and I’m ready to see how much more I can achieve,’ said the 22-year-old.
