Michael Johnson: Grand Slam Track founder to give back $500,000 payment

Four-time Olympic champion Michael Johnson has confirmed he will refund a sum of $500,000 (£375,000) he allegedly “secretly” paid himself just days before his Grand Slam Track (GST) league collapsed.

Three GST events were held – in Kingston, Miami and Philadelphia – before the project folded in December 2025.

Contracted runners had been promised lucrative prize money and salaries in the competition’s inaugural season, but the final event was cancelled and organisers later voluntarily filed for bankruptcy in the US.

A legal filing in Delaware by vendors claiming against Johnson and GST includes an accusation that eight days before the collapse, he “secretly” paid himself $500,000 (£375,000). GST called that accusation “unfounded and false”.

A GST spokesperson said: “While Mr Johnson has been clear that the $500k was a reimbursement and not a payment, to avoid disruption and continue moving forward he and Winners Alliance have agreed to fund the $500k to the plan so that all creditors can benefit and receive a greater distribution in connection with the company’s reorganisation and efforts to resurrect the league.”

In May 2025, Johnson put $2.25m (£1.68m) into the business, after Eldridge Industries decided not to invest $40m (£30m).

Johnson’s spokesperson said: “Michael has asserted defences to the claim, including that this was a partial reimbursement of over $2m (£1.5m) of expenses advances by Michael for the benefit of the athletes.”