GRAND Slam Track (GST) President and Chief Operating Officer Steve Gera insists his organisation’s track meets are not intended to rival the World Athletics Diamond League.

Founded by the legendary Olympic gold medalist Michael Johnson, the Grand Slam Track is planned to start in 2025 with four races, each in a different city. The concept is derived from tennis, which features four majors in a seasonal schedule.

American Johnson, a former 200-meter and 400-meter world record holder, has long advocated for track and field meet organizers to implement innovative ways to increase spectator interest.

Unlike the Diamond League, which includes on-field events in its schedule, GST is track-specific.

Gera said Grand Slam Track’s mission is to showcase the most exciting racing talent in head-to-head competition through immersive, technologically advanced television coverage and exclusive athlete profiles.

“We (Grand Slam Track and Diamond League) were both born out of track, but I think we’re a slightly different value proposition. We see ourselves as the top level, premier league in racing,” he said. Jamaica Observer during a phone conversation in October.

“We encourage our racers (to compete) in Diamond League meets. I think Diamond League is a good product and resonates around the world, but we don’t see them as competitors.

“There are fewer major premium events on the market each year compared to other sports. We are bringing to market a truly professional athletics league based on the best racers competing against each other in a competition that highlights rivalries and highlights great performers,” Gera explained.

In a September press release, the Diamond League announced plans to increase athletes’ prize money to the highest levels since the series launched in 2010.

Total prize money payable over a season will rise to US$9.24 million in 2025, Diamond League organizers said. This is almost a third higher than the amount paid in the last four years, the press release said. It was negatively affected by the Covid-19 epidemic. Next season’s Diamond League is planned to pause in 15 cities.

GST organizers say they have received financial commitments worth US$30 million from investors. Total prize money for next year’s league is expected to reach US$12 million.

“We anticipate raising more money in the future, but for now we are in a really great position and want to make sure we take those dollars and use them to showcase our racers and cities in an incredible light on television.” United States and worldwide.

“At the end of the day, that’s the main driver; it’s like a great storytelling platform that goes to television around the world,” Gera said.

While GST organizers confirmed Los Angeles, United States is one of the host cities, they are yet to announce the other three stops. However, Jamaica is expected to be chosen as the host country on Monday.

Jamaica has never hosted the Diamond League.

Gera told Observer Last month we noted that the Jamaica National Stadium was “high on the list” of potential GST venues for 2025.

“Not only is our event truly a festival of speed celebrating the world’s best athletes competing in track and field, but the way we show it is very different from a normal track meet.

“And that’s one of the reasons why we think Jamaica could be a great home for this, obviously it’s because of the cultural atmosphere that the fans and the racers can bring here,” the GST chairman said. he explained.

The star-studded roster of athletes signed to compete in Grand Slam Track’s inaugural campaign includes the outstanding American Women’s 400m Hurdles world record holder and Olympic gold medalist Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone.

Britain’s 2023 World Championships men’s 1500 meters gold medalist Josh Kerr, Puerto Rican Tokyo Olympics women’s hurdles sprint gold medalist Jasmine Camacho-Quinn and the Dominican Republic’s Paris Olympics women’s 400 meters champion Marileidy Paulino have also signed deals.

The global squad includes Jamaican delights such as Olympic Games Women’s 400m Hurdles bronze medalist Rushell Clayton, national 100m Hurdles record holder Ackera Nugent and world Under-20 Men’s 400m Hurdles record holder Roshawn Clarke.

US Women’s 400 Hurdles world record holder Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone (AFP)

Grand Slam Circuit President and Chief Operating Officer Steve Gera (left) and Jamaican Sports Minister Olivia Grange