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• Olympic 400m finalist Jereem Richards excited to join star-studded Grand Slam Track League in 2025

  Jereem Richards, the 2024 Paris Olympics 400m finalist, has expressed his excitement about joining the upcoming Grand Slam Track League, which is set to begin in April 2025. Richards, known for his strong performances under pressure, is eager to compete against the world’s best athletes in what promises to be a groundbreaking professional track and field series.

  “I like competition. My best performances have always come when the stakes were high, the best athletes were there, and it was a high-pressure, high-intensity type of race. I think that is what Grand Slam Track League brings,” Richards shared with FloTrack, highlighting the appeal of the league's elite competition format.

  The Grand Slam Track League is a premier global professional track league, featuring head-to-head matchups between the fastest athletes in the world. The league will host four annual Slams from April to September, with eight Racers competing in one of 12 event groups. Four athletes will make the starting roster for each Slam, while four Challengers can earn their way into the field through recent performances.

  Richards, who thrives in competitive environments, is thrilled to be part of the inaugural season. “I am definitely really excited. Big names are expected to sign up, and to be part of the big names in such a prestigious track meet means a lot to me,” he said. "Matthew Hudson-Smith and other Olympians will be there. Everybody that’s running fast is going to be there, so I’m just excited to be part of it and to be part of history.” Olympic champion Quincy Hall and Muzala Samukonga have also been signed to the league.

  The league offers the largest prize pool in the history of track and field, with athletes competing for a total prize money pool of $400,000 over the course of the season. Points will be awarded based on finishing positions, with the overall Slam champion receiving $100,000. Prize money will be distributed from first place through eighth place, ensuring that every race matters.

  Richards is expected to be a strong contender in the Grand Slam Track League, with his experience and competitive spirit positioning him among the favorites for the title. The league promises to deliver thrilling matchups and high-intensity races, with athletes competing twice over the weekend, and the combined placing determining the Slam champion.

   

   

• Grand Slam Track adds Richards, Roberts to stacked roster for inaugural season

  Grand Slam Track has added more star power to its roster ahead of its inaugural season in 2025 with the signings of Daniel Roberts and Jereem Richards.

  The USA’s Roberts took silver behind Grant Holloway in the 110m hurdles at the Paris Olympics while Trinidad & Tobago’s Richards was a finalist in the 400m, narrowly missing out on a medal with a national record 43.78 in fourth.

  Roberts also took bronze at the 2023 World Championships. Reflecting on his career, Roberts said, “track has been my life for as long as I can remember, and it’s about always moving forward. Grand Slam Track feels like the right place to keep evolving as an athlete, and I’m ready to embrace that. I’m grateful for this opportunity and am excited to take my sport to new heights.”

  Richards, who specializes in the 200m and 400m, is a two-time Olympian and 2022 World Indoor Championships gold medalist. He shared his perspective on the sport.

   “Every race is a chance to tell a story about where I’ve come from and where I’m going. Grand Slam Track is the perfect platform for that. It’s not just about winning; it’s about showing the world my journey, one race at a time. I’m proud to represent Trinidad and Tobago in Grand Slam Track™ and eager to show the world what I’ve got.”

  The addition of Roberts and Richards to Grand Slam Track™ marks a significant step in the league's growth, further enhancing its reputation as a platform for elite athletes.

   

• Olympic champions Julien Alfred and Roje Stona among nominees for Caribbean Sports Personality of the Year at inaugural CANOC Sports Awards

  Olympic champions Julien Alfred of Saint Lucia and Jamaica's Roje Stona are among the nominees for Caribbean Sports Personality of the Year at the inaugural CANOC Sports Awards, which will be held on October 19, 2024, in Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands. This event will celebrate the Caribbean’s top athletes, teams, and sports leaders, and will also feature the IOC Sustainability Awards, highlighting the region's commitment to sustainable sports.

   The CANOC Sports Awards, the first of its kind, have been organized by the Caribbean Association of National Olympic Committees (CANOC) to honour athletes who have represented the region at the highest levels of competition. The event also recognizes teams, sports administrators, and media professionals for their contributions to the advancement of Caribbean sports.

   Godfrey Been, President of the Turks and Caicos Commonwealth Games Association, expressed his pride in hosting such a significant event. “It is an honour for the Turks and Caicos Islands to host the inaugural CANOC Sports Awards,” Been said. “This event not only celebrates the remarkable achievements of our region's athletes and sports leaders, but also strengthens the bond of unity that sports fosters across the Caribbean. We are proud to play a pivotal role in recognizing the excellence that transcends our sporting communities and showcases the Caribbean on the global sporting stage.”

   Alfred, who made history as Saint Lucia’s first Olympic gold medalist in 2024, has been nominated in the Female Sports Personality of the Year category. She will compete against other global track stars such as Puerto Rico’s Jasmine Camacho-Quinn, Dominican Republic's Marileidy Paulino, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines' Shafiqua Maloney, and Jamaica’s Shanieka Ricketts.

   In the Male Sports Personality of the Year category, Jamaican discus thrower Stona, who also claimed Olympic gold in Paris, joins an elite field of nominees, including British Virgin Islands' 400m hurdles star Kyron McMaster, Grenada’s decathlete Lindon Victor, Cuban wrestling legend Mijain Lopez Nunez, Trinidad and Tobago’s 200m standout Jereem Richards, and Puerto Rican wrestler Sebastian Rivera.

   In addition to individual honours, the CANOC Sports Awards will also recognize the best male and female teams from across the region. Notable nominees include the Dominican Republic Volleyball Team, the Barbados Triathlon Team, and the Curaçao Baseball Team. Julien Alfred has also been nominated for the Caribbean Breakthrough Award, further cementing her remarkable achievements in 2024.

   Other categories, including the Caribbean Sports Media Award and the Caribbean Distinguished Service Award, will recognize those who have played significant roles behind the scenes, ensuring that Caribbean athletes continue to excel on the international stage.

   As the event approaches, the inaugural CANOC Sports Awards promises to be a historic celebration of Caribbean sporting excellence. Athletes like Alfred and Stona are at the forefront of a new generation of Caribbean talent that continues to shine on the global stage.