‘Should've Been More Transparent’ - Justin Gatlin Rips into Michael Johnson Amid Heavy Grand Slam Track Debts

American sprint legend Justin Gatlin has analysed what exactly went wrong for Michael Johnson’s Grand Slam Track project this year, believing he should have been more transparent about the nitty-gritties.

Gatlin, who hosted Johnson on his Ready Set Go podcast alongside Rodney Green a couple of months following the debacle that resulted in the league’s final leg in Los Angeles cancelled, believes he did not really come out and say what exactly transpired, with several athletes since coming out and complaining their dues were not fully settled.

After Green explained that he hoped there would be an amicable settlement that would eventually allow Grand Slam Track to resume in 2026, Gatlin opined differently.

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“I think you’re still being a little optimistic about the situation,” Gatlin said in response to Green.

“Our platform gave him space to speak his truth, but it wasn’t the full truth. Articles are now coming out, and a lot of the things he said before aren’t aging well.”

Gatlin noted that Johnson, once able to attract investors based on his legendary reputation, now appears to have lost credibility.

“He once said it was easy to walk into a room with investors as Michael Johnson because of the gold shoes. But right now, he’s clearly not bringing in any new investors. And the stance he took—saying he wanted better for athletes, that they deserved to be paid fairly—well, now he’s the one owing athletes money. 

“That puts him in the same category as other promoters who, even if they pay slowly, at least eventually pay up.”

Citing reports of investor dissatisfaction after sparse crowds in Jamaica, Gatlin said Johnson should have been clearer about the realities of the sport.

I would have liked to see Michael step up and be more transparent, especially when he sat down with us. Talk about who pulled out, explain what happened, instead of waiting until articles put him in a certain light. 

“The reports say investors came to Jamaica, saw empty stadiums, and pulled back. Realistically, there was no way he was going to get 30,000 fans to fill that stadium unless it was a championship or Carifta Games. That should have been communicated upfront.

The first day of competition started at 5 p.m. on a Friday—people were still at work, stuck in traffic, picking up kids. Of course the stands looked empty. Saturday and Sunday were better, but from the cameras, all you saw was empty seats on one side. Those oversights added up. 

Gatlin highlighted claims that Johnson owes between $180,000 and $250,000 to Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone and Gabby Thomas, $300,000 each to Melissa Jefferson and Kenny Bednarek, as well as unpaid venue fees.

“In our group chats, people are already saying ‘scam, scam, scam.’ And when I asked him directly if this hiccup would hurt his legacy, I think the answer is obvious. 

“Our generation remembers Michael Johnson in real time—the gold shoes, the medals, the world records. But younger athletes don’t. They only know him as the Grand Slam promoter. If that fails, that becomes his legacy.

Without his broadcasting role with the BBC at this year’s World Championships, Gatlin believes Johnson faces an uphill task to rebuild credibility.

“Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. That’s where we’re at. If the Grand Slam comes back, it will only work if there are big incentives and guaranteed money upfront.”