First Australian signs with revolutionary track league, Grand Slam Track

Olympic silver medallist Jess Hull will have a chance to compete for a share of a whopping $18 million in prize money as she becomes the first Australian to ink a deal with Michael Johnson’s Grad Slam Track.

OLYMPIC silver medallist Jess Hull has become the first Australian to sign with Grand Slam Track, the revolutionary professional track league launched by US legend Michael Johnson.

Hull is one of 48 athletes named as Grand Slam Racers who will compete for more than $18 million in prize money during the league’s inaugural season in 2025 across four Slams, similar to the majors in tennis.

The Australian 1500m record holder, and world 2000m record holder, is coming off the best season of career which culminated in an historic silver medal at the Paris Olympic Games.

She was the first Australian distance runner to win an Olympic medal on the track since Ralph Doubell captured gold in Mexico City in 1968.

“I’ve always loved racing on the biggest stages, and Grand Slam Track feels like a perfect fit for where I am in my career,” Hull, 28, said.

“I’m looking forward to pushing my limits and seeing how far I can go alongside some amazing competitors. I’m proud and excited to represent Australia in this league, and look forward to seeing our fans at all four Slams in 2025.”

Jess Hull takes the silver medal finishing second to Kenyan Faith Kipyegon at the Paris Games. Picture: Michael Klein

Johnson has lured some of world’s best athletes to the new league including two-time Olympic 400m hurdles champion Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, American Cole Hocker, the surprise Olympic 1500m champion from Paris, and former 100m world champion Fred Kerley.

The focus of Grand Slam Track is head-to-head competition, focusing on fierce rivalries and not winning times. There will be no rabbits or pacing lights with each Slam having its own prize purse.

Each Racer will compete in two events over the three-day Slam with Hull in the short distance (800m/1500m) category. There are also short sprints (100m/200m), short hurdles (100h or 110m/100m), long sprints (200m/400m), long hurdles (400h/400m) and long distance (3000m/5000m).

The combined finishing order between the two races will determine the winner of each Slam group who will take home $150,000 in prize money.

What do you think of the new track league. Picture: Michael Klein

Grand Slam Track athletes will be allowed to also contest other athletics leagues, including the Diamond League.

Johnson, a four-time Olympic champion, insists his competition is not a “rebel league”, rather a league that will “support the rest of the track ecosystem in a positive way”.

He wants the stars of track to be competing more regularly - the four Slams will be held between April and September - and maximising their financial potential while also making the sport more appealing to follow.

One of the 2025 slams will be held in Los Angeles, while three other host cities — one US city and two international cities — will be announced as hosts in the coming months.

“I’m proud to welcome this incredible group of athletes to Grand Slam Track,” Johnson said.

“They’ve all proven themselves on the world’s biggest stages, but this league gives them a chance to face each other consistently and bring something new to the sport. I can’t wait to see how they step up and take their performances even further.

“We continue to add the fastest talent from all over the world, and we’re so excited for fans to see what we’ve built, starting in 2025.”

Originally published as First Australian signs with revolutionary track league, Grand Slam Track