The Faces of Grand Slam Track: Meet the Stars Driving Track & Field’s Bold New Era

By Jayson Panganiban April 21, 2025 14:29

Grand Slam Track (GST), Michael Johnson’s ambitious attempt to redefine professional track competition, has assembled a roster of Olympic champions and rising stars to spearhead its global push. While missing marquee names like Noah Lyles and Sha’Carri Richardson, GST’s inaugural lineup blends proven stars with hungry newcomers—each carrying the weight of Johnson’s vision to make track racing more accessible, entertaining, and lucrative. Here are the athletes defining GST’s high-stakes debut.

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone: The Marquee Name

The six-time world champion and 400m hurdles world record holder (50.68) is GST’s crown jewel. McLaughlin-Levrone, who signed as GST’s first athlete in June 2024, brings mainstream appeal and peerless dominance. “She’s the face of our sport,” Johnson said, emphasizing her crossover potential. Her presence anchors GST’s credibility, particularly after her Paris 2024 400m hurdles gold and relay heroics.

Gabby Thomas: The Versatile Showstopper

The Harvard graduate and Olympic 200m bronze medalist balances elite speed with intellectual charisma. Thomas, who ran 21.81 to win the 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials, represents GST’s push to highlight multidimensional athletes. “Fans connect with her authenticity,” a league insider noted. Her rivalry with rising stars like Jamaica’s Nickisha Pryce (400m national record holder) could become a GST signature storyline.

Quincy Hall & Matthew Hudson-Smith: The 400m Kings

Hall, the reigning Olympic 400m champion, and Hudson-Smith, the European record holder (44.07), headline a stacked men’s long sprint division. Their 2024 Olympic final clash—separated by 0.05 seconds—hints at GST’s potential for dramatic rematches. “This league thrives on rivalries,” Hudson-Smith said. Muzala Samukonga, Zambia’s breakout star, adds a wildcard element to the mix.

Cole Hocker & Josh Kerr: The Mile Masters

Hocker’s Olympic 1500m gold and Kerr’s 2023 world title set up a middle-distance clash for the ages. Add Yared Nuguse, the American record holder (3:43.97), and GST boasts the deepest 1500m field outside the Olympics. “We’ll push each other to new limits,” Hocker said. Their tactical battles could become GST’s answer to Formula 1’s wheel-to-wheel drama.

Masai Russell: The Hurdles Phenom

The 100m hurdles world leader (12.24) anchors GST’s most competitive women’s event. Russell, who stunned the 2024 Olympic field with a silver medal, faces Paris bronze medalist Cyrena Samba-Mayela and 2020 gold medalist Jasmine Camacho-Quinn. “Every race is a final here,” Russell said.

Ackera Nugent & Roshawn Clarke: Jamaica’s Next Wave

Nugent, the 100m hurdles national record holder (12.24), and Clarke, the 400m hurdles prodigy (47.85), embody GST’s youth movement. Both Paris 2024 finalists, they’re leveraging GST to leapfrog veterans. “This league accelerates careers,” Nugent said. Their presence ensures Caribbean flavor in a U.S.-centric lineup.

Marileidy Paulino: The Dominican Dynamo

The 400m Olympic champion and world record holder in the mixed 4x400m relay brings Latin American star power. Paulino’s rivalry with Alexis Holmes—who anchored the U.S. to Olympic relay gold—adds geopolitical spice. “I race for my country first,” Paulino said.

Sasha Zhoya: The French Hurdles Sensation

The 110m hurdles Diamond League champion represents GST’s European ambitions. Zhoya’s flair—he moonlights as a musician—aligns with Johnson’s push to humanize athletes. “Fans deserve personalities, not just robots,” Zhoya said.

Oblique Seville: The Sprint Wildcard

Jamaica’s 100m rising star (9.82 PB) gives GST a potential sprint draw—if he stays healthy. Seville’s battles with American Kenny Bednarek (200m Olympic silver medalist) could fill the void left by Lyles’ absence.

The Challenger Factor

GST’s 48 “Racers” will face 48 “Challengers” per meet—a mix of veterans and upstarts. This fluid roster keeps pressure on stars to perform. “No one’s safe here,” Johnson warned.

GST’s success hinges on these athletes transcending results. McLaughlin-Levrone’s grace, Thomas’ intellect, and Zhoya’s artistry must shine as brightly as their times. If they deliver, Johnson’s gamble might just reinvent track’s playbook. As Kerr put it: “We’re not just racing—we’re building a legacy.”