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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
Sean Ingle

Grand Slam Track denies Michael Johnson earned $2m from scrapped series

Michael Johnson during Grand Slam Track Miami in May 2025
Michael Johnson had planned to help athletes but the 2025 GST series was scrapped after three meetings. Photograph: Kirby Lee/Imagn Images/Reuters Connect

Michael Johnson’s Grand Slam Track organisation has denied the former American sprinter has pocketed $2m from the series while athletes have gone unpaid, calling the speculation “categorically false” – and claimed he was facing financial losses himself.

Johnson is facing the prospect of legal action from athletes, agents and the suppliers who helped to stage three GST meetings, with sources claiming they are owed as much as $19m (£13.9m). It is understood that two athletes claim they had to withdraw from buying a house when prize money was not paid, and many privately believe they will never receive their money.

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