British middle-distance runner Josh Kerr recently signed for Michael Johnson’s newly launched Grand Slam Track as the second racer in the professional track league. Earlier, on June 18, Johnson, the four-time Olympic gold medalist, announced the unveiling of the Grand Slam Track in an effort to revolutionize track and field.
Johnson’s Grand Slam Track is scheduled for 2025, with four meets taking place in the year. Every year, the league sets aside a total of $12.6 million as its prize pool, with $100,000 going to the winners of each category.
After signing up as the second racer, Josh Kerr, the reigning world champion in the 1500m event, had this to say in the press release (shared by Citius Mag):
“Grand Slam Track is the future for this sport and I’m buzzing to be the first British Racer signed to the league.”
Additionally, he talked about what a fantastic opportunity it is to work with the American legend, saying:
“Getting to work with Michael Johnson, a great of the sport, is awesome. He wants to shake things up and change this game for the better. He has put us athletes at the forefront of all his decisions in creating the league.
In addition, the 26-year-old expressed his enthusiasm for the Grand Slam Track by saying:
“I can’t wait to get racing in the Slams and to put on a performance for all track fans around the world. I look forward to facing the best in the world four times a year.”
96 athletes will participate in each Slam, with 48 contracted racers expected to make their appearances at the Grand Slam Track across the four events. Previously, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone was announced as the first racer of the league.
A look at Josh Kerr’s 2024 season
Josh Kerr has had an exceptional 2024 season so far, which has seen him collect the World Indoor title in the men’s 3000m event, clocking 7:42.98. Earlier, in the Millrose Games, he established a 2-mile world record with a time of 8:00.67.
In the 2024 Prefontaine Classic, Kerr defeated Jakob Ingebrigtsen to win the Diamond League competition. The British athlete finished with a time of 3:45.34, bettering his Norwegian opponent's 3:45.60.
Both Kerr and Ingebrigtsen are slated for an epic clash at the 2024 Paris Olympics in the men's 1500m event. At the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, Ingebrigtsen became the Olympic champion (3:28.32), while Kerr had to settle for the bronze medal, clocking 3:29.05.