Grand Slam Track athletes deny Johnson claim they have been paid

Athletes involved in Grand Slam Track events claim they have not yet received promised payments, despite founder Michael Johnson stating they had. GST was launched in 2025 promising lucrative prize money and salaries, but the final Los Angeles event was cancelled and the company filed for bankruptcy in December. Johnson admitted using his credit card for athlete expenses as the company faced financial troubles, stating he would be reimbursed.

However, a company acting on behalf of athletes denies receiving any payments or being contacted about when they were due. Johnson's claim that athletes had been paid is now considered premature, and the $11 million owed to creditors, including athletes, is reportedly held by a third party. The payment process to the athletes remains unclear.

Several high-profile athletes, including British former world 1500m champion Josh Kerr and Olympic 400m silver medallist Matthew Hudson-Smith, were owed payments over £100,000.