The hype around Michael Johnson’s Grand Slam Track (GST) series was already sky-high, and the upcoming leg in Philadelphia on May 31st and June 1st at Franklin Field was expected to be nothing short of explosive. Originally, the spotlight was firmly on Olympic medalist Fred Kerley, who many believed would headline the men’s short sprints. But just as fans settled in for a showdown, a major twist surfaced on X as Kerley was officially out. Yet with Kerley out, all eyes turned to the young Christian Miller as the supposed MVP for Philly. But that also didn’t materialize. So what happened?
Well, Jonathan Gault’s post on X revealed that Kerley was “suspended pending the completion of legal proceedings.” And Miller, who had clocked a jaw-dropping 9.93 on this very track last year, was seen as the favorite. This season, too, Miller had already proven he’s no fluke, posting a 10.02 and edging out Christian Coleman in their head-to-head 100m clashes. His return to Franklin Field was billed as a thrilling homecoming.
But then came another bombshell: Miller had pulled out due to a strain. Whether it was the tight curve, the cold conditions, or a tough lane one assignment, it proved too much. And while Miller was eager to compete, his coaches and family made the call to hold him back. Amid the disappointment, one voice stood out. Justin Gatlin, who praised Miller’s heart and competitiveness. On the latest episode of his Ready Set Go podcast, Justin Gatlin opened up about Christian Miller’s sudden withdrawal from the Grand Slam Track Meet in Philadelphia.
And why it might have been the right call. “The awkwardness of the turns or the curve… but one individual who sustained an injury—and I’m not saying it was because of the turns or the curve, but it might have been a combination of the cold weather and him running in lane one—was C. Millie. C. Millie got a strain in his hamstring, I believe, and they made an announcement on day two that he suffered a small strain.” Gatlin didn’t sugarcoat the situation.
For a 19-year-old who had already beaten Christian Coleman twice this season and was about to race on the same track where he ran 9.95 last year, pulling out wasn’t just heartbreaking. Miller’s rise in 2025 has been meteoric. Just weeks earlier at the Seiko Golden Grand Prix in Tokyo, he once again outpaced Christian Coleman, finishing second in 10.08 to Japan’s Hiroki Yanagita, while Coleman crossed third in 10.11.
That race came right after another eye-catching performance at the Tom Jones Memorial, where Miller ran 10.02 and Coleman trailed in 10.06. Back-to-back victories over a seasoned world champion sent a clear message: Miller wasn’t just hype. He was a real threat. Fans were ready for a third showdown between the two, and the Philadelphia GST meet was set to host the rematch. The anticipation was electric.
But as it turns out, the shock came from a completely different direction. Gatlin revealed the turning point with honest admiration for Miller’s competitive drive. “He wanted to go out there and run the 100, but his coaches and his parents were like, ‘No, you ain’t doing that, you ain’t doing that.’ So, shoutouts to C, man. Hope you get better, man. Remember, the big picture is making that USA team, man. So get healthy, get strong, and come back ready to go.”
It was a veteran’s reminder that the true prize isn’t a moment in the spotlight. It’s a place on the U.S. Olympic roster. Miller’s desire to run showed his grit. But it was the decision to hold him back that showed his team’s wisdom.
Christian Miller’s rise echoes louder than his wins
For those close to Christian Miller, like Olympic gold medalist Justin Gatlin and veteran coach Rodney Green. His journey isn’t about settling scores. It’s about destiny. “Cmilly,” as they fondly call him, isn’t racing for revenge. He’s running because it’s what he was born to do. Deeply rooted in faith and fueled by unshakable belief, Miller is proving that sprinting isn’t just a skill. It’s a calling.
His rise has caught the attention of those who matter, and on a recent episode of Ready Set Go, Gatlin offered Miller a piece of wisdom that was part warning, part admiration. “Don’t put your schedule out, Cmilly. Don’t you just show up like a ghost in the night and just have them all like, Oh, here he comes—the second he’s coming.” The advice wasn’t just tactical.
It captured the fear Miller is beginning to instill in competitors every time his name shows up on a start list. Still, Coach Rodney Green had his perspective. One filled not with secrecy, but with pride. For him, Miller’s journey is worth celebrating openly. And that celebration is more than justified. Miller’s 9.93 still stands as the fastest time ever run by a U.S. under-20 athlete.
But it’s not just about one blazing sprint. At the Tom Jones Memorial on April 19, he turned heads by defeating none other than Christian Coleman on the historic Percy Beard Track. Then he did it again in Tokyo, placing ahead of Coleman once more. These aren’t isolated wins. They’re part of a growing pattern. Miller’s not climbing slowly through the ranks.
Each performance is another chapter in a career that’s accelerating faster than anyone expected, leaving even seasoned names playing catch-up. Meanwhile, Coleman’s season is telling a different story. Once the undisputed king of the sprints, he’s had a rocky 2025. At the Tom Jones Memorial, he managed only 10.06 for third. Then came a fourth-place finish in Xiamen (10.18), followed by fifth in Shaoxing (10.13).
As the Philadelphia Slam approached, fans were eager to witness yet another head-to-head. But with Miller unexpectedly sidelined due to a strain, the anticipated rematch vanished. Still, the message had already been sent loud and clear. Christian Miller isn’t here for hype. He’s here for history.
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