Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone and Gabby Thomas delivered electrifying performances at the Grand Slam Track League’s debut event in Kingston, Jamaica, marking a thrilling start to the new track series. The inaugural meet at the National Stadium saw McLaughlin-Levrone, the world record holder in the women’s 400m hurdles, ease to a comfortable victory in her season opener. Her time of 52.76 seconds highlighted her readiness for the upcoming season, despite acknowledging that the first race of the year always brings its challenges. “Just shaking the cobwebs off,” she said, emphasizing her excitement and satisfaction with the performance, while hinting at stronger runs ahead.
The victory was a typical display of McLaughlin-Levrone’s smooth and controlled style, one that has made her a dominant force in the 400m hurdles since 2021. Her confidence was palpable as she looked ahead to more races in the series. “It gives you energy, you feed off of it, and it helps you run fast,” she remarked, preparing for her next event—the flat 400m, where she would face another round of fierce competition.
In the women’s 200m, Olympic bronze medalist Gabby Thomas also captured the attention of the crowd with a brilliant sprint that led her to victory in 22.62 seconds. Her performance not only earned her the win but also the first 12 points of the Grand Slam Track’s history. Thomas expressed her confidence heading into her next race, the 400m, acknowledging the tougher competition she would face but remaining optimistic about her chances. “I’m feeling good and confident going into tomorrow, but obviously there are a couple of heavy hitters in the quarter mile that I have to beat,” she noted.
The event was packed with thrilling races across various disciplines. In the women’s 3,000m, Ethiopia’s Ejgayehu Taye claimed a solid victory, while American middle-distance star Nikki Hiltz triumphed in the women’s 800m with a strong finish. The men’s 100m race was one of the closest of the night, with American Kenny Bednarek narrowly edging out Jamaica’s Oblique Seville by just one-hundredth of a second, clocking a time of 10.07 seconds. Bednarek, in his first race in Jamaica, expressed his appreciation for the enthusiastic crowd. “It’s my first time being in Jamaica and you can definitely hear the crowd, they’re electrifying,” he said. Despite a less-than-perfect race, he was content with the win and his improved block starts.
The men’s 400m saw another strong showing from Team USA, with Christopher Bailey securing the victory. In the 400m hurdles, Brazil’s Alison dos Santos claimed the top spot, while American Grant Fisher showcased his distance-running prowess with a win in the 5,000m. These performances highlighted the dominance of American athletes on the first day of competition.
The Grand Slam Track League, with its impressive prize pool of $12.6 million, has generated considerable buzz in the athletics world. After the Kingston debut, the league will continue its journey to Miami, Philadelphia, and Los Angeles, promising more exciting moments for fans and athletes alike. With stars like McLaughlin-Levrone and Thomas setting the tone, the series is shaping up to be a major fixture in the athletics calendar.
