Grand Slam Track on Brink as World Athletics Rejects 50% Settlement Deal

The Times of London is reporting that Grand Slam Track, the Michael Johnson-led athletics venture, is facing possible financial collapse after World Athletics rejected its proposal to settle debts at 50 per cent of their value.

The governing body has insisted that athletes owed prize money and appearance fees must be paid in full before any deal can be considered.

The rejection leaves the future of the organisation in jeopardy. Johnson, a four-time Olympic champion, had promised to revolutionise track and field by offering greater financial rewards to elite athletes.

However, the project has been plagued by financial difficulties since its launch, with the cancellation of the planned Los Angeles event in June marking a turning point.

Athletes such as Britain’s 1,500m star Josh Kerr and the Nigerian duo of Favour Ofili and Udodi Onwuzurike remain unpaid, with many still waiting on significant sums that could be life-changing.

They were informed last month that only half of their earnings would be paid, but no further updates have followed.

World Athletics, reportedly owed around £30,000 for licensing rights, has already dismissed the offer. For Johnson, who has admitted he is struggling to pay athletes after the withdrawal of a major financial backer, the situation is now critical. His absence from BBC punditry duties at the World Championships in Tokyo earlier this year underscored the mounting strain.

With a December 5 deadline looming, Grand Slam Track’s ambitious vision of reshaping athletics now hangs in the balance.