Grand Slam Track Delivers Bold Reality Check Amid Athlos Taking the Sport to Next Level

Track and field has always had potential, but let’s be honest, it’s been struggling for a long time. And despite the athletes being as talented as it gets, the recognition and pay just don’t match the work put in. After all, the sport has long played second fiddle to the big-time leagues when it comes to being the media darling and getting financial support. But change is already here, as the Michael Johnson-led Grand Slam Track and Athlos NYC, founded by Alexis Ohanian, are here to elevate the game like never before. But can they?

After all, before they can even make their mark, it seems a clash is already brewing between these two leagues, each pushing the sport in its direction. So, you might be wondering why Athlos is all the talk right now. Well, it’s because they’re shaking things up by adding a track event to the mix, not just a field event like Grand Slam Track (GST). And to make an impact, they’ve got Tara Davis-Woodhall leading the charge.

The Olympic gold medalist is bringing her infectious energy and passion to Athlos NYC, and she’s determined to change the game for track and field. After her addition, Athlos dropped a powerful video on X with the caption, “It’s Track AND Field, and she’s the reason. Field is coming to ATHLOS 2025, and Tara Davis-Woodhall is leading the way.”

The video showcased Tara’s trademark grit and emotion, with her voiceover saying, “There was a time I almost quit this sport and left everything I worked for behind. But then I remembered that would be giving you the easy way out.” Meanwhile, over at Grand Slam Track, Gabby Thomas is also pushing for better recognition and rewards for track athletes.

Both leagues are doing their part to elevate the sport, but they’re coming at it from different angles. But seeing the buzz Athlos has been getting, GST quickly responded with their own bold reality check video on X. Grand Slam Track recently shared a video with the caption, “Justin says it best: athletes deserve more. Grand Slam Track is leveling up the game — real opportunities, real security, real change. Thanks for spreading the word, @justingatlin.”

In the video, Justin Gatlin highlights a major shift in track and field, saying, “You can come away with $100,000; last place is getting $10,000. That’s great for our sport because there were athletes before, from the Diamond League or Golden League, who were just getting a free trip. Sometimes, you’d go to run, and if you got last place, you wouldn’t make any money at all. Now, athletes are coming home with something, not empty pockets.”

He goes on to say, “Our sport is changing in a way where athletes have more financial security, and they’re not as pressed as they once were because it was operating at an amateur level.” This is the perk of being a GST athlete—real support and financial backing that reflects the value athletes bring to the sport. It’s a huge step forward for track and field, where athletes are finally getting the recognition and rewards they deserve. However, despite these advancements, GST still faces challenges. But how?

Athlos NYC leaves Grand Slam Track in the dust

Athlos NYC is off to a flying start — and they’ve put their money where their mouth is. When they debuted in September 2024, Athlos didn’t just promise change; they delivered it. Their first meet focused entirely on women’s events, and the payouts were some of the best the sport has ever seen. First-place winners got $60,000, which is double what the Diamond League Finals offer ($30K).

Athletes even got a slice of the event’s overall revenue, 10% split among competitors. That revenue-sharing piece? Unheard of in track before. It wasn’t just about throwing cash at the stars either. Athlos made the whole experience athlete-centered: shorter event schedules, more hype, packed stands, and social media buzzing. In just a year, the buzz has exploded.

Especially after Tara Davis-Woodhall — one of the sport’s biggest personalities — joined the Athlos movement, bringing major star power and heart to the project. Meanwhile, Grand Slam Track (GST) is trying to swing big — but the execution hasn’t hit the mark yet. Led by track legend Michael Johnson, GST is offering $12.6 million in total prize money across their meets.

Winners at GST walk away with a cool $100,000, and even eighth place grabs $10,000. On paper, that’s massive. Compare that to the Diamond League, where if you finish last, you might not make anything at all. But despite the big money promises, Grand Slam Track is struggling to catch fire. Their first meeting in Kingston, Jamaica, was underwhelming.

Attendance was low, the energy was flat, and online engagement didn’t come close to what Athlos pulled off with just one video. To make things even worse, GST made a controversial decision — they left out field events. No long jump. No high jump. No shot put. That didn’t sit well with athletes like Tara Davis-Woodhall, who called out Johnson and GST, saying, “It’s track AND field for a reason.”

She accused them of ruining the full picture of the sport, and she wasn’t alone in that frustration. When you stack it all up—money, hype, loyalty — Athlos has a huge early lead. Sure, GST offers a $100K top prize, compared to Athlos’ $ 60 K. But Athlos offers something just as important: revenue sharing, equal respect for track and field events, real community vibes, and athlete-first marketing

Fans are already rallying behind Athlos, as the second edition of Athlos will come soon, and it’s making a difference. In just a year, Athlos has gained bigger popularity, stronger star power, and deeper loyalty from athletes than GST. Grand Slam Track might have more money right now, but Athlos is building something athletes want to be part of — and that might just be priceless.