Four-time Olympic champion Michael Johnson says he has ensured athletes were paid after the collapse of his Grand Slam Track league.
Key facts
- •Grand Slam Track filed for bankruptcy in December 2025.
- •The Association of Athletics Managers reported that GST had debts exceeding $30 million.
- •Johnson stated he provided a $2 million loan to the company to cover athlete expenses.
- •Johnson described the $500,000 payment as reimbursement for travel costs he personally financed.
- •Johnson has not worked as a BBC commentator since the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Michael Johnson has confirmed that athletes contracted to his Grand Slam Track (GST) league have now been paid. The league filed for bankruptcy in December 2025 after its final event in Los Angeles was cancelled. Johnson stated that the financial collapse was triggered by investors withdrawing, leading to a significant capital issue for the organization.
By the numbers
Addressing Financial Claims
In a recent interview, Johnson addressed allegations from a March 2026 legal filing that he had secretly paid himself $500,000 shortly before the league's collapse. Johnson characterized the payment as a reimbursement for travel expenses he covered on his personal credit card when the company's own credit lines were exhausted. He stated that he also provided a $2 million loan to the company to support athlete needs and chose to forgo his own salary.
Impact on Competitors
The bankruptcy left several high-profile athletes, including Josh Kerr and Matthew Hudson-Smith, awaiting payments exceeding £100,000. According to the Association of Athletics Managers, GST held debts totaling more than $30 million. Johnson noted that the public scrutiny regarding his integrity and the financial situation caused significant personal distress.
Timeline
- December 2025Grand Slam Track organizers voluntarily filed for bankruptcy in the US.
- January 2026The Association of Athletics Managers reported that GST had debts of more than $30 million.
- March 2026A legal filing by creditors accused Johnson of secretly paying himself $500,000.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by BBC Sport.
