World Athletics monitoring outstanding Grand Slam Track payments to athletes

The Guardian

4 days ago

Sebastian Coe says World Athletics is closely monitoring outstanding athlete payments from Michael Johnson's Grand Slam Track series, admitting: 'There is no point in pretending this is a satisfactory situation.'
Johnson unexpectedly cancelled the final Los Angeles leg of his new four-meeting series last month following low spectator numbers at the opening three editions in Kingston, Miami and Philadelphia.
The series announced a total prize fund of $12.6m (£9.3m) at its launch earlier this year, but a number of athletes are understood yet to receive payment. It is not unusual for a time lag between competition and remuneration but, given the abrupt end to the aborted first season, runners are increasingly concerned over individual payments that stretch well into six figures.
'It's not good,' said Lord Coe, the global governing body's president. 'The one thing that World Athletics has always stood strongly behind is the athletes. So yeah, this is not a good situation. It's a startup, but the athletes do need paying.'
He added: 'For these things to work, they can't be vanity projects. They have to be suffused in practicality and deliverability. I just want the events that are going to add lustre, that we can find space for, and we will encourage them to at least have the courtesy of spending that kind of time and that kind of effort, both intellectual and resource, in making sure they work.'
Grand Slam Track champions at each meet receive $100,000 (£74,000) in addition to substantial appearance fees. Britain's 400m Olympic medallist Matthew Hudson-Smith won the short sprint category in Kingston and Philadelphia, with Josh Kerr triumphing in the short distance category in Miami.
While Grand Slam Track declined to comment, it is understood agents have been informed that their athletes will receive payment for the Kingston event by the end of this month, with later meet payments following before the end of September. The Guardian understands that some athletes have received appearance money from the opening meet.
Asked if World Athletics has the power to intervene on athletes' behalf, Coe replied: 'Well, let's just watch this space.'
Johnson's brainchild has been touted as a direct competitor to World Athletics' Diamond League circuit, which had stood unchallenged as the primary season-long athletics competition since it succeeded the Golden League in 2010.
Speaking to the Guardian in April, Johnson denied fears that the $30m of investment in Grand Slam Track could run out before he is able to change the sport. 'We're in this for the long haul,' he said. 'Startups aren't profitable in year one. You know, if anybody comes to you with a startup, saying: 'Hey, we're going to be profitable in year one,' run away as fast as you can. But we will continue to grow.'
Coe insists he remains fully supportive of privately funded athletics events. 'It was in everybody's interest for something like this to be successful,' he said. 'We're not the 'computer says no' command-and-control federation.
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'From the very moment I became president of World Athletics, I talked about the need to be more creative and partner – don't shy away from forming those relationships. So we were very clear that this had to be done properly and executed properly. Hopefully, [create] an additional attraction in the sport.'
Meanwhile, Coe confirmed World Athletics remains committed to introducing DNA tests for all elite female athletes ahead of September's world championships.
Coe initially announced the policy in March to 'guarantee the integrity of female women's sport'. It will involve a non-invasive one‑time cheek swab or dry blood test.
Tests are due to begin in the coming weeks once the World Athletics Council has confirmed procedural regulations.