UK Athletics has turned down the chance to host Michael Johnson’s new Grand Slam Track series, choosing instead to focus on building the London Diamond League into a premier event for British athletics. American sprint legend Michael Johnson was hit with a blow after UK Athletics (UKA) declined the opportunity to host a leg of his newly-launched Grand Slam Track series next summer. While Hodgkinson remains central to the Diamond League’s appeal, she is not currently signed up for Johnson’s Grand Slam Track series. Despite the Grand Slam Track series’ promise, UKA expressed concerns over the logistics and timing, especially given the organization’s financial caution. “That [format] seems quite US-centric at the moment, which is fine,” Buckner said of Johnson’s Grand Slam Track series, noting that they had engaged in “a really good discussion” with Johnson’s team.

Source: The Star November 13, 2024 06:05 UTC