'I'm Just Going to Do Athlos' - Gabby Thomas Confirms She Will Not Return to Grand Slam Track

Triple Olympic champion Gabby Thomas has confirmed that she would not return to compete in the Grand Slam Track league, even if the organisers were to restructure and relaunch the competition.

Grand Slam Track, a league founded by sprint legend Michael Johnson, was established with the aim of revolutionising track and field.

However, the ambitious project was derailed by financial difficulties, ultimately leading the organisation to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

Gabby Thomas was among the athletes most affected by the league’s collapse, having been listed as one of its top creditors. Others on the list include Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, Josh Kerr, Melissa Jefferson-Wooden, and Kenny Bednarek.

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone is reportedly owed the highest amount at $356,250, while Gabby Thomas ranks second with outstanding payments totalling $249,375.

Speaking on the Running Event podcast, Gabby Thomas explained that, although she considered the Grand Slam Track league to be an exciting and refreshing initiative for track and field, she does not intend to participate in it again.

She noted that the league provided a rare opportunity for the best athletes to compete against each other frequently, which she felt was beneficial for the sport, particularly in the United States.

However, she emphasised that her priorities have shifted, and she is now fully committed to Athlos, a project she has invested in deeply and places her trust in, underscoring her dedication to projects she believes will have a lasting impact and success in athletics.

“No. Grand Slam, it was a lot of fun. I think it was a great, refreshing, new initiative for the sport. The best of the best were literally competing against each other frequently,” Gabby Thomas shared.

“And that's really what we need. And in the US, so 100%, I love that. Would I do the Grand Slam itself again? No. I'm just going to do Athlos. That is what I'm very invested in and what I trust. But I thought it was a lot of fun.”