Legendary sprinter Michael Johnson, known for his four Olympic golds, won’t be gracing our screens on the BBC’s athletics coverage this year. The 58-year-old, who has been a fixture since 2001, is stepping back amid financial woes tied to his ambitious project, ‘Grand Slam Track’.
The venture, meant to create lucrative opportunities for athletes, faced a tough road, eventually folding in 2025 after just three events in Kingston, Miami, and Philadelphia. From the get-go, the project struggled with low attendance and disappointing revenue, leading to its bankruptcy filing. Johnson candidly shared his struggles, saying, “We promised athletes fair and quick payment, yet here we are, struggling.”
Reports have emerged that some athletes didn’t receive their dues on time, with claims that Johnson reportedly pocketed $500,000 before the project’s abrupt end. However, Grand Slam Track has labelled these accusations as “unfounded and false”, highlighting Johnson’s significant contributions from his own pocket for the venture’s expenses.
This ongoing saga has led to the BBC’s decision to sideline Johnson from their current athletics line-up. It’s a tumultuous time for the track icon, with fans and athletes alike watching closely to see how this plays out. Stay tuned for more updates on this unfolding story.