Grand Slam Track (GST), the innovative athletics competition backed by Olympic legend Michael Johnson, has voluntarily filed for bankruptcy in the United States amid months of financial challenges. Despite this setback, Johnson has pledged to continue pursuing the competition’s long-term vision.

Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Filing

GST has entered a court-supervised reorganisation under Chapter 11 bankruptcy, a legal mechanism that allows businesses to restructure debts while continuing operations. The move comes after a series of financial hurdles, including the withdrawal of previously committed investment earlier in 2025, which forced the cancellation of the final event of GST’s inaugural season in June.

In an official statement, GST said:

“GST intends to utilise the Chapter 11 process to stabilise its finances, implement a more efficient cost and operating model, and position GST for long-term success.”

The organisers also highlighted that extensive efforts were made to negotiate alternative financing and payment arrangements, but a court-supervised restructuring was deemed the most prudent step forward.

Michael Johnson: Determined to Continue

Four-time Olympic champion Michael Johnson, the main public face of GST, has been vocal about his commitment to the competition. Speaking after the bankruptcy announcement, he said:

“While GST has faced significant challenges that have caused frustrations for many – myself included – I refuse to give up on the mission of Grand Slam Track and the future we are building together.”

Earlier in the year, Johnson had defended the competition’s first season on social media, acknowledging that circumstances beyond their control had impacted operations but maintaining that GST was still a successful innovation in track and field.

Structure of the Competition

Grand Slam Track brought together some of the world’s leading athletes, including British sprinters Daryll Neita and Matthew Hudson-Smith, as well as 1500m world champion Josh Kerr. The competition featured male and female competitors divided into six categories, with each group comprising eight athletes.

Events ranged from Short Sprints (100m and 200m) to middle-distance and specialty track disciplines, held over weekends throughout the season. Athletes competed for substantial financial incentives, including up to $100,000 (£73,600) for category winners, along with salaries for contracted participants.

Future Prospects

Despite the bankruptcy filing, GST organisers insist that this step is not an abandonment of their long-term vision. The court-supervised process is designed to stabilise the competition’s finances and secure its future in professional athletics.

Johnson remains committed to delivering a platform that showcases elite track and field talent while providing financial opportunities for athletes, stating that he continues to believe in GST’s potential to redefine competitive athletics.

What This Means for Athletes and Fans

The Chapter 11 process allows GST to continue operations while restructuring its financial obligations, meaning future events could still take place once stability is achieved. For athletes, this represents both uncertainty and opportunity, as GST has become an important stage for professional sprinters, middle-distance runners, and other track and field competitors.

Fans can expect updates on event schedules, athlete participation, and financial restructuring as GST works through the bankruptcy process, aiming to return stronger in future seasons.