Michael Johnson’s Grand Slam Track has secured another star.
The new, big-money athletics league is set to arrive in 2025 and has now announced 38 of the 48 racers who will compete in its first year.
And the latest coup is their most exciting so far.
US Olympics hero Gabby Thomas has confirmed she will be signing with GST, after securing gold in the 200m, 4x100m relay and 4x400m relay in Paris this summer.
“I am so excited to be joining Grand Slam Track, and partnering with Michael Johnson to give our sport the platform it deserves,” she said, announcing the news.
“Coming off of the Olympics, I want to continue testing myself and competing at the highest level against the fastest women in the world.
“Grand Slam Track allows us that chance in 2025. Michael’s vision is incredibly exciting, and I can’t wait to give the millions of track fans around the world even more chances to watch us compete.
“I look forward to seeing all of our fans at the four slams next year.”
By signing with GST, Thomas has given herself the opportunity to reignite a rivalry with Daryll Neita.
Last week, Neita became the first British woman to join Johnson’s league.
At the Paris Olympics, she finished within three-hundredths of a second of making the 200m podium as Thomas stormed to victory with a time of 21.83 seconds.
Before that race, Neita had made no secret of her determination to end her wait for an individual global medal – and she couldn’t have come much closer.
In GST, she will have the opportunity to test herself against the Olympic champion once again.
“I’m really excited to be the first British woman announced as joining Grand Slam Track, and can’t wait to start racing in this fresh new league,” Neita said earlier this month.
“I love the concept and getting to race twice in a weekend is fun and exciting for all of us as racers.
“It’s an amazing opportunity to compete at the highest level in a whole new format that’s going to bring a lot of energy to the sport.”
Her rival Thomas, who also took scooped silver and bronze in the 4x100m and 200m respectively at Tokyo 2020, will compete in all four slams of the 2025 season.
Each slam will see the signed racers taking on challengers in head-to-head events, held over two days.
Racers will receive base compensation for competing in each slam and can earn additional prize money based on their performances.
GST will have a total of $12.6million on offer and other big names already signed up include Fred Kerley, Josh Kerr, Quincy Hall, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone and Jasmine Jones.
