Concerns Over Unpaid Athletes and the Future of the Series

World Athletics is closely monitoring the outstanding payments from the Grand Slam Track series, a new four-meeting competition founded by Michael Johnson. The series, which boasted a total prize fund of $12.6 million, has been marred by low spectator numbers and a hasty cancellation of its final leg in Los Angeles. As a result, many athletes are yet to receive payment, with some individual sums stretching into the six-figure range.

Lord Coe, the president of World Athletics, has acknowledged the situation, stating, “It’s not good. The one thing that World Athletics has always stood strongly behind is the athletes. So yeah, this is not a good situation.” Coe emphasized the importance of ensuring that privately funded events are executed properly and deliver results, rather than serving as vanity projects.

The Grand Slam Track series has attracted top athletes, with champions at each meet receiving $100,000 in addition to substantial appearance fees. Britain’s 400m Olympic medallist Matthew Hudson-Smith won the short sprint category in Kingston and Philadelphia, while Josh Kerr triumphed in the short distance category in Miami. However, some athletes have expressed concerns over the delay in payment, with agents informed that athletes will receive payment for the Kingston event by the end of this month, with later meet payments following before the end of September.

According to sources, some athletes have received appearance money from the opening meet, but the majority remain unpaid. The situation has sparked concerns among athletes, who are worried about the potential impact on their careers and financial stability. “It’s not good,” said one athlete, who wished to remain anonymous. “We’re not just competing for the sake of competing; we’re doing it to make a living. When we don’t get paid, it’s a big problem.”

World Athletics has maintained its support for privately funded events, with Coe stating, “We’re not the ‘computer says no’ command-and-control federation.” The organization has also reaffirmed its commitment to introducing DNA tests for all elite female athletes ahead of the world championships in September, a policy aimed at guaranteeing the integrity of female women’s sport.

The future of the Grand Slam Track series remains uncertain, with Coe urging the organizers to prioritize practicality and deliverability. “For these things to work, they can’t be vanity projects,” he said. “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.”

The Grand Slam Track series was 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. The series was backed by a $30 million investment, with Johnson denying fears that the funding could run out before the series was able to gain traction. “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.”

As the situation unfolds, World Athletics will continue to monitor the situation and ensure that the interests of athletes are protected. The organization will also be keeping a close eye on the progress of the DNA testing policy, which is set to begin in the coming weeks.