Christian Coleman has offered a brief reaction to the ongoing dispute between Michael Johnson and Tara Davis-Woodhall regarding the Grand Slam Track League, which has sparked significant debate within the track and field community. The controversy stems from comments Michael Johnson made about his upcoming track league, which is set to launch next year in Kingston, Jamaica. Johnson’s remarks have drawn backlash, particularly from Tara Davis-Woodhall and her husband Hunter Woodhall, both of whom feel his views on the sport are misguided.
In a recent BBC Sport interview, Johnson explained his decision to exclude field events from his league, noting that field events take too long and are less suited for television streaming. He argued that while track events could be more easily packaged for a professional league, combining track and field in such a setting might not work, even though it remains successful at larger events like the Olympics and World Championships. Johnson expressed a desire to “save track” by focusing solely on sprinting events, claiming that the sport needs modernization and more accessibility to a wider audience. He stated, “I am going to save what I think I can save; I think I can save track, I don’t think I can save track and field.”
Tara Davis-Woodhall, the Olympic long jump champion, did not take kindly to Johnson’s exclusion of field events. She fiercely criticized his approach, stating that track and field is a complete sport that should not be divided into separate entities. Davis-Woodhall made it clear that the sport did not need saving and that Johnson’s attempt to “save” it by focusing only on track events was both unnecessary and detrimental. “It’s track and field for a reason,” she said. “The field events actually do have a lot of impact on the sport and we don’t need your saving.”
In her criticism, Davis-Woodhall also referenced Johnson’s legacy, pointing out that if he truly wanted to make a change, he should have done so during his competitive career, rather than after his retirement. She added that his absence from the sport for many years diminished his understanding of its current state, making his comments seem out of touch. Hunter Woodhall, her husband and a Paralympic medalist, also joined in the criticism, emphasizing that Johnson’s remarks were self-important and unnecessary. “Stop coming back and just being so self-important,” he remarked. “No one cares, at all, and we are doing just fine.”
In response to the online exchange, Christian Coleman, the current world 60m record holder, shared his reaction by posting a photo on social media with a simple caption: “Loll,” a lighthearted expression of amusement. He also shared another post with the message: “Only God can save us,” which seemed to hint at the absurdity of the ongoing public spat. Although his response was minimal, it added fuel to the ongoing debate and highlighted the divide between those who believe track and field needs a drastic change and those who want to preserve its traditional format.
The disagreement between Johnson and the Davis-Woodhalls has sparked a larger conversation about the future of track and field as a professional sport. Johnson’s vision for the Grand Slam Track League reflects his belief that professional athletics must evolve to appeal to modern audiences, while the Davis-Woodhalls, along with others in the sport, argue that the essence of track and field lies in its holistic nature. They contend that field events are integral to the sport’s identity and that any attempt to separate them diminishes the overall experience for athletes and fans alike.
This debate has now taken on a life of its own, with various athletes and fans weighing in on the merits of Johnson’s plan. Some agree with his assessment that track events are more marketable and should be the focus of any new professional league, while others see his exclusion of field events as shortsighted and harmful to the integrity of the sport. Regardless of where individuals stand on the issue, one thing is clear: the clash between Michael Johnson and the Davis-Woodhalls has ignited a passionate conversation about the future direction of track and field.
As the Grand Slam Track League prepares for its launch, it remains to be seen whether Johnson’s vision will succeed or whether the sport will resist such changes, holding onto the inclusive and multifaceted nature that has defined track and field for generations. For now, the dispute continues to serve as a reminder of the complexities involved in trying to evolve a sport as storied and beloved as track and field.
