It’s been five days since the curtain closed on the much-hyped inaugural edition of Grand Slam Track — Michael Johnson’s bold attempt to revolutionize professional athletics. But instead of basking in unanimous praise, the question echoing through the world of track and field is… Did it deliver?
On paper, everything was in place: a world-class lineup, a flashy new format, and the crown jewel of Caribbean athletics — Kingston’s National Stadium. Jamaica seemed like the perfect launchpad. But as the dust settled, critics and fans alike found themselves squinting at the empty stands rather than the scoreboard. The venue, historically buzzing with the energy of a thousand horns and flag-waving fans, looked — dare we say — sleepy. The lack of footfall in a place that once erupted for Usain Bolt and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce? That’s a red flag nobody expected. So… what happened?
Theories are flying faster than a 9.7-second dash. Some blame poor marketing. Others cite confusing ticketing systems or a failure to connect with local culture. A few point fingers at the format itself — too polished, too Americanized, too… unfamiliar. Whatever the reasons, the criticism is growing sharper. It didn’t take long for the backlash to get personal.
On Day One of Grand Slam Track, while the organizers were still riding the high of their shiny new league’s debut, one of track and field’s most respected voices was already delivering a stinging reality check — and doing it publicly. Patrick K. Magyar, the former Zurich Diamond League director and a name that carries serious weight in global athletics, took to LinkedIn with a post that sent ripples — no, shockwaves — through the sport. His piece? Titled with brutal precision: “From Grand Slam to Grand Flop – A Lesson in What Not to Do with Athletics.” Oof.
Magyar didn’t mince words. His post read less like a critique and more like a carefully constructed dismantling. He ticked off the issues one by one — the disregard for key stakeholders, the overreliance on flashy production, the alienation of the sport’s traditional heartbeat. And then came the knockout punch at the end, a quote that’s already being whispered in press rooms and WhatsApp groups: “If you disrespect half the track & field family… If it’s more about your ego than the sport… If you believe money alone rules athletics… Then what you create is not a vision. You create a Grand Flop.” Mic. Dropped.
The report is developing…
The post “Grand Flop”: Ex-Diamond League Director Adds Fuel to Fire While Criticizing Michael Johnson’s Grand Slam Track appeared first on EssentiallySports.