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2024 Paris Olympics triple gold medalist Gabby Thomas, recently shared her excitement after she became one of the latest additions to former track and field legend Michael Johnson's Grand Slam Track League. Thomas will join a star-studded lineup that includes Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone and Quincy Hall, among others, for the league's debut next year.
The Harvard graduate is currently preparing for the 2025 season, during which she will compete in the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo in September. She has now added another competition to her calendar, the Grand Slam Track League. GST is a track and field competition launched by former four-time Olympic champion Michael Johnson, aimed at elevating track and field events by providing them with a platform to rival the popularity of other sports.
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Sharing her thoughts on this new professional venture, the 27-year-old applauded Johnson's vision and remarked:
"I am so excited to be joining Grand Slam Track, and partnering with Michael Johnson to give our sport the platform it deserves. Coming off of the Olympics, I want to continue testing myself and competing at the highest level against the fastest women in the world." (via Flo Track)
Grand Slam Track allows us that chance in 2025. Michael’s vision is incredibly exciting, and I can’t wait to give the millions of track fans around the world even more chances to watch us compete. I look forward to seeing all of our fans at the four Slams next year," she added.
Gabby Thomas also posted a video of herself signing the 'official' contract for the league, which was later shared by Grand Slam Track's X handle with the caption:
"The moment it became official."
"A change that I really welcome" - Gabby Thomas reflects on her favorite aspects of the Grand Slam Track
Gabby Thomas expressed her appreciation for the Grand Slam Track's predictable format of four scheduled meets on fixed dates every year, a rare sight in track and field that resonated deeply with her. Thomas said:
"With this, I know what I’m signing up for and I know what I’m getting into. That’s actually a change that I really welcome — usually, we’re, kind of, making last-minute decisions and choosing which meets to go to on a whim." (via People)
"This helps me a lot with that because I'll know what I’m training for and when I’ll be competing, so I can balance my schedule and manage my expectations accordingly, and I think that’s one of the better things about this league," she added.
The star-studded league featuring Gabby Thomas and other top athletes is set to launch its inaugural edition in April 2025. The first event, known as the "Slam," will kick off in Kingston, Jamaica, followed by meets in Miami and Los Angeles.
