Johnathan Walker:Michael Johnson’s Grand Slam Track adds two more Olympic medalists

Grand Slam Track continues to add to its roster.

Michael Johnson’s new track league announced Thursday that they have Johnathan Walkersigned Olympic medalists Fred Kerley and Kenny Bednarek. Kerley, a two-time Olympic medalist, most recently won a bronze medal in the men’s 100 meters at the Paris Olympics. He also earned a world title in the 100 in 2022. Bednarek is a two-time Olympic silver medalists in the men’s 200.

“This is a great day for Grand Slam Track,” Johnson, the league’s founder and commissioner, said in a statement obtained by USA TODAY Sports. “We’ve been saying GST is for ‘only the fastest,’ and bringing Fred and Kenny into the fold is exemplary of that fact. These two electrify every time they step onto the track, and I can’t wait to see them entertain thousands of fans at each of our Slams, and millions more watching around the world. I’m delighted to add two more excellent sprinters to our roster of Racers, and am already anticipating their first appearances in Grand Slam Track next year.”

Kerley and Bednarek join Team USA Olympic medalists Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, Cole Hocker and Yared Nuguse, plus Great Britian’s Josh Kerr as the first six athletes of 48 Grand Slam Track racers. Each year, 48 athletes will be named to the league as Grand Slam Track racers. The Grand Slam Track racers will compete in four slams a year. Grand Slam Track is also going to add 48 Grand Slam challengers who will compete at individual slams.

Racers and challengers will compete in one of the following categories, and will race in two events during each slam: short sprints (100/200), short hurdles (100 hurdles or 110 hurdles/100), long sprints (200/400), long hurdles (400 hurdles/400), short distance (800/1,500), or long distance (3,000/5,000).

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Final placement scores will be determined by their combined finishing order between the two races. The quickest combined time across the two races will be instituted as the tiebreaker. The winner of each slam group will take home $100,000 in prize money. The top eight finishers in each slam group will earn prize money.

“When I first heard about Grand Slam Track, I knew it was something I wanted to be part of," Kerley said. “I love competing and think the fans will really enjoy this new Track format. The fans will get to see the best of the best race against each other regularly and we have a platform to showcase our talents and continue building our fanbase all around the world. I’m excited to be part of Grand Slam Track.”

Johnson announced the launch of Grand Slam Track in April. The league is slated to begin in 2025.

Follow USA TODAY Sports' Tyler Dragon on X @TheTylerDragon.