Tokyo – British sprinter Daryll Neita has revealed that athletes who participated in teh inaugural Grand Slam Track season have yet to receive full payment, casting a shadow over the aspiring athletics competition backed by olympic legend Michael johnson.
The fourth and final leg of Grand Slam Track was cancelled in June due to economic difficulties, leaving contracted athletes and prize winners awaiting funds. Neita, 29, who competed in the Kingston, Jamaica, and Miami events, stated, “I think we all are” still owed money when directly asked about the situation. Johnson has publicly stated the 2026 competition is contingent on athletes being fully compensated for this year’s events.
Grand Slam Track offered a total prize pool of $12.6 million (£10 million), with potential winnings of up to $100,000 (£73,600) for race category winners, alongside salaries for athletes under contract. despite the financial uncertainty, Neita expressed optimism about a resolution.
“I’m definitely happy I took part in it as I think when I initially was asked to do it, I just saw it as a really amazing prospect and a grate initiative for our sport,” Neita saeid, speaking to Radio 5 Live Breakfast ahead of the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, where she will compete in the 100m, 200m, and 4x100m relay. “I would just hope that ultimately we’re all able to get what’s owed and I do believe that it will be a positive outcome, I truly do, as it was just such a great initiative and the experience that I had was great.”
Neita further highlighted the positive aspects of the competition,noting,”They were going out of their way to give us a five-star experience and it was nice to see track developing in that way. It will be nice just to see it become a positive situation as soon as possible for all of us involved.” The future of Grand Slam Track remains uncertain until outstanding payments are settled.
