Michael Johnson’s Grand Slam Track series has come under intense scrutiny following its underwhelming debut in Kingston, Jamaica, with Patrick Magyar, the founder of the Diamond League, leading the charge in criticizing the event. Magyar, in a lengthy post shared on his LinkedIn, described the series as a “flop” and questioned its vision, claiming that it failed to live up to the bold expectations set by Johnson.
The event, which took place from April 4 to 6 in Kingston, had high hopes attached to it, with the promise of revolutionizing track and field. However, the debut quickly revealed cracks in its foundation. According to Magyar, the competition failed to generate excitement, and the atmosphere was lacking, likening the stadium’s ambiance to a “mausoleum” rather than a vibrant venue for athletics. The event was notably devoid of fans, a glaring issue in Kingston, a city known for its rich track and field heritage. Magyar highlighted the emptiness of the stadium as one of the most telling signs of the series’ failure to capture the public’s interest.
In his post, Magyar expressed disappointment with the format of the competition, which featured a series of monotonous stretches where little to no action took place. He went on to criticize the idea behind the Grand Slam Track, stating that it was clear from the first day that it wasn’t the future of the sport as promised. The competition, according to Magyar, lacked the dynamism and fan engagement needed to thrive in the modern era.
Magyar also took the opportunity to reflect on Johnson’s personality during his active athletic career. He shared his experience from the 1996 Atlanta Olympics when Johnson set the world record in the 200m with a time of 19.32 seconds. Despite the achievement, Magyar recalled having doubts about Johnson’s demands for exorbitant appearance fees, which were similar to those of legendary figures like Carl Lewis. Magyar pointed out that while Lewis had achieved more, Johnson believed he deserved similar compensation, something that set the tone for future negotiations and relationships within the sport.
Following his retirement, Johnson transitioned to a successful career as a commentator and gained recognition for his work with major publications. However, Magyar argued that Johnson’s approach remained self-centered, with a focus on individual success over the broader health of the sport. He claimed that this mindset was transferred into the creation of the Grand Slam Track, a league that emphasized high rewards for track events, but excluded field events entirely.
Magyar critiqued this decision, arguing that it was a significant misstep, as fans still have a strong interest in field events. By excluding athletes like Ryan Crouser, Mondo Duplantis, Neeraj Chopra, and others from the series, Johnson risked alienating a large segment of the track and field community. Magyar contended that this approach not only disrespected the athletes involved in these events but also created division within the sport.
He further emphasized that the Grand Slam Track needed balance, respect for all aspects of track and field, and integrity in order to succeed. Rather than positioning himself as a savior of the sport, Johnson needed to approach the situation with a more inclusive vision, recognizing the value of every athlete and event in the track and field family.
As the Grand Slam Track series moves forward, with the next legs scheduled in the United States, Johnson’s venture remains under scrutiny. Despite the criticism, the series will continue its tour with upcoming events in Miami, Philadelphia, and Los Angeles. However, with mounting concerns from figures like Magyar, it remains uncertain whether the Grand Slam Track will adapt to the feedback and establish itself as a staple in the track and field calendar or fade into obscurity.
