As the track and field world prepares for a seismic shift, Michael Johnson’s Grand Slam Track (GST) has emerged as the latest frontier in professional sprinting — a high-octane league promising glitz, innovation, and athlete-first reform. For many, it’s a fresh breath of air, a rebellion against the rigidity of traditional track circuits. And in the eyes of Olympic legend Ato Boldon, it’s not just a concept — it’s a movement. “I would love to see Noah get on board with Grand Slam…Sha’Carri, if she decides that she’s coming on board, I think it will take Grand Slam to the next level. I just don’t think that somebody of her magnitude can sit on the outside as this thing continues to grow, and it will grow,” Boldon said with conviction.

Boldon isn’t merely campaigning. He’s forecasting. He sees Noah Lyles, the flamboyant world champion, and Sha’Carri Richardson, the electric face of women’s sprinting, as the catalysts who could tip GST into mainstream stardom. But while he calls, the two sprint stars remain silent, watching, perhaps weighing their options, perhaps skeptical of promises. Yet, amid Boldon’s optimism, a shadow has crept into the narrative. 

Nia Ali, the Olympic silver medalist and three-time world champion, made it clear: she won’t be part of it. On May 16, with words sharp and unfiltered, she took to X (formerly Twitter): “Exactly why my children don’t run track, there’s no standard. I won’t be running in Grand Slam in my hometown of Philly.” A loaded statement. One that spoke not just to her own absence, but to deeper concerns — values, structure, maybe even politics within the league. What made it more striking was the timing: GST is headed to Philadelphia, Ali’s city, for a marquee event on May 31 – June 1. A perfect homecoming stage… that she’s choosing to skip. She didn’t stop there. 

With an air of resignation, the track and field veteran added, “It’s not because I didn’t try. I’ll see y’all at Roots Picnic though.” After it, she tagged Roots Picnic’s X-handle in the comment box. The Roots Picnic — Philly’s beloved music and culture festival — is no minor gig. But her words suggest she reached out, attempted to engage with GST, and somehow… was left out. Passed over? Rejected? Mismatched values? She doesn’t say. But her tone echoes disappointment more than defiance. However, Nia Ali’s name is still there in the challenger’s list. But the sheen of Grand Slam Track, though still bright, now carries a hint of tarnish.

While Johnson’s vision charges ahead, with events, hype, and momentum, the silence from some — and the vocal exit of others — raises questions. Is GST growing too fast to maintain standards? Are politics and gatekeeping already seeping into a league meant to break free of such things? Well, on May 15, the GST announced changes in the Philadelphia Slam format. The Philly Slam will be for two days, in place of three, on May 31-June 1 at Franklin Field. The reason? According to the given details, the streamlined competition format will help in “providing intense, condensed, high-stakes track racing.” Is that a stumble in keeping things as per the previous resolution? No one knows. However, Noah Lyles and Grant Holloway still have hopes for GST. 

The track and field champions like Noah Lyles and Grant Holloway have hopes 

Among the most fascinating voices in this conversation is none other than Noah Lyles — the reigning Olympic 100m champion and arguably the most market-savvy sprinter of his generation. Known for his flair, his honesty, and his sharp takes, Lyles has been one of the most vocal observers of GST’s rise. But his criticism? It’s not blind.

On a recent episode of his podcast, Beyond the Records, Lyles opened up about the complicated feelings many in the track world are wrestling with. “I do want it [Grand Slam Track] to succeed,” he admitted. “I don’t know what it looks like in the background, but I would like to see it succeed. And I’m probably so critical of it because it’s the closest thing we’ve had to having professionalism. And I think that might be why so many people are so critical of it—because it’s so close.”

It’s a rare kind of tough love. Lyles isn’t dismissing GST — he sees its potential. In fact, that’s exactly why he’s holding it to a high standard. For a sport that’s long struggled to break into the mainstream spotlight, GST is as close as track and field has come to having its own “league moment.” But with high hopes come even higher expectations.

On the other side of the conversation is Grant Holloway, the charismatic Olympic champion and world dominator in the 110m hurdles. He hasn’t signed on either — but he’s not criticizing. In fact, he’s applauding from afar. “Like, I’m not in it, but I appreciate just the change… It’s adding different avenues so people can get eyes on track,” Holloway said during an episode of the Ready Set Go podcast.

Grant’s tone is hopeful, even supportive — seeing GST not as a threat, but as an opportunity. Even without a contract, Holloway recognizes that something new might be exactly what track and field needs to thrive in the digital, on-demand, content-driven age. However, Ato Boldon believes in the dream. He sees it scaling heights never before imagined in track and field. But for that to happen, the stars must align — not just the fast ones on the track, but the influential ones off it. And for now, some of those stars are drifting further away. One thing’s for certain: the race for legitimacy in pro track just got a little more complicated.