Excitement for the inaugural Grand Slam Track series continues to mount, with Head of Athletes Relations Morolake Akinosun revealing that the first Challenger has been signed for the Kingston leg of the competition. The meet, scheduled for April at Jamaica’s National Stadium, will be the first of four stops in the groundbreaking series.
Speaking with Sportsmax.TV at the National Stadium in Kingston, Akinosun shared that the Challenger set to compete in Kingston is a world champion in their event, signalling the high calibre of athletes expected to participate. “We’ve got a great group of athletes who are excited to be Challengers. Our first one has been signed already for Kingston, and we’re looking forward to having them here and competing,” she said.
The Grand Slam Track series introduces an innovative format that features 96 athletes competing in each event, divided into two groups. The Racers, a fixed roster of 48 elite athletes, are signed to compete at all four meets of the series, guaranteeing consistent, top-tier competition throughout the season. The Challengers, meanwhile, are selected on a per-meet basis, with 48 new athletes chosen for each leg. This rotating Challenger format ensures fresh and exciting matchups at every meet, with selection criteria focused on performance, popularity, and the potential to create thrilling rivalries.
Akinosun also revealed that while the Racers were announced earlier this week, the full lineup of Challengers for the Kingston meet will be revealed approximately two weeks before the event. This staggered announcement approach aims to build anticipation and keep fans engaged.
In discussing the global buzz around Grand Slam Track, Akinosun highlighted the overwhelmingly positive reception from athletes. “Everyone’s very excited. It’s brand new, it’s exciting, it’s nothing that’s ever been done before,” she explained. “Competition four times a year against the best of the best, and the ability to know exactly who’s going to be running when, where, how, and in what events—this is nothing like our sport has ever seen before.”
Akinosun emphasized that the league’s focus on professionalizing the sport has been a major draw for athletes. “The athletes are excited to be treated as professionals and be paid like professionals,” she noted, underscoring the league’s commitment to elevating track and field on a global stage.
The Kingston leg of Grand Slam Track is set to follow closely on the heels of the ISSA GraceKennedy Boys and Girls Championships, which conclude just five days prior. The National Stadium, a historic venue that has hosted countless iconic moments in Jamaican athletics, will provide a fitting stage for this highly anticipated event.
As anticipation builds, fans are gearing up for a spectacular showdown between the world-class Racers and the Challengers, including the newly signed world champion. With its innovative format and commitment to delivering a premier experience for athletes and fans alike, Grand Slam Track promises to revolutionize the sport, starting with an unforgettable debut in Kingston.