Grand Slam Track cancelled in LA
The Los Angeles leg of Michael Johnson’s series, set for 28-29 June at Drake Stadium, has been cancelled due to ‘poor economics’, officials confirmed Thursday. It was the fourth and final meet of the former Olympic champion’s new athletics circuit, which launched in April.
In a statement, Johnson said, “The decision to conclude the inaugural Grand Slam Track season is not taken lightly, but one rooted in a belief that we have successfully achieved the objectives we set out to in this pilot season. The global economic landscape has shifted dramatically in the past year, and this business decision has been made to ensure our long-term stability as the world’s premier track league. Our attention is now on 2026…”
Reports emerging from both the United States and the United Kingdom suggested the cancellation came down to a failure to secure sufficient sponsorship and broadcast income for the fledgling league, which made its debut in Kingston, Jamaica, in April. Ticket sales for the Los Angeles meet were also said to be underwhelming. According to The Times newspaper, organisers stood to save around $3 million (€2.76m) in prize money and travel costs by calling off the event.
The cancellation comes amid mounting social and political tension in Los Angeles, as the city prepares to host the Summer Games in 2028. Recent protests over United States President, Donald Trump’s strict immigration policies have at times turned violent, prompting curfews, mass detentions, and the deployment of thousands of troops.-insidethegames
