American sprints legend Justin Gatlin has validated Noah Lyles’ decision to turn down the opportunity to join Michael Johnson’s Grand Slam for the 2025 season.
The inaugural competition, set to run from April to September 2025, will feature several athletes, including Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, Masai Russell, Gabby Thomas, Fred Kerley, Kenny Bednarek, and Mathew Hudson. Although Lyles has expressed interest, he has hesitated to commit, citing that the substantial prize money is not enough of an incentive for him as the Paris Olympic 100m champion.
Gatlin, who won the Olympic 100m gold in Athens in 2004, supported Lyles’ reservations. “He knows exactly what he needs to do, and if he does something, that’s going to be televised. So I can’t knock it. I just think that the exposure needs to be done differently for him,” Gatlin explained during the latest episode of the Ready Set Go podcast.
Already one of the most well-known athletes in track and field, Lyles believes that greater recognition will bring him more success than money. “I feel like he thinks that having his races televised is going to make a difference and a change for his success,” Gatlin, a two-time 100m world champion, added.
In April 2024, Michael Johnson revealed the Grand Slam Track league’s initial plans, including a $30 million fund from investors and strategic partners, with Winners Alliance reportedly leading the investment and operation.
Sebastian Coe, the President of World Athletics, also commented on the league during the 2024 World Athletics Indoor Championships, stating, “I welcome innovation. I also welcome external resources. If you’ve got a rising tide, everyone benefits.”
