Olympic legend red-faced as occasion designed to save lots of athletics information for chapter, with athletes owed thousands and thousands

Michael Johnson’s reputation has taken a serious blow with the competition he claimed could save athletics filing for bankruptcy while still owing athletes millions.

Grand Slam Track was launched by the Olympic champion sprinter last year and held events in Jamaica, Miami and Philadelphia before cancelling the final event in Los Angeles citing cashflow issues. Attendances had been poor and expected funding did not materialise.

Last month World Athletics told GST they must settle their debts with athletes – with many still owed 50 per cent of prize money and appearance fees – but now a ‘voluntary petition’ has been filed at the US Bankruptcy Court in Delaware.

Johnson – who won golds at Barcelona, Atlanta and Sydney – said last year that he could ‘save track’ and offered the prospect of big paydays to a string of the sport’s stars.

Olympic medalists Josh Kerr and Zharnel Hughes were among the Brits who signed up but after the LA event was cancelled, Hughes said in July: ‘I think people enjoyed it but obviously now the payments have been delayed and they fell short by not having the last one, people may be more hesitant to try out next season. We have to see how it goes next season.’

A return in 2026 is now out of the question, but Johnson on Thursday suggested that his event could be revived further down the line.

Michael Johnson’s Grand Slam Track was launched last year but has filed for bankruptcy 

Johnson is pictured with Kenneth Bednarek, Gabrielle Thomas, Diribe Welteji and Britain’s Matthew Hudson-Smith during the Grand Slam Track competition in Jamaica in April

Johnson, 58, said: ‘Grand Slam Track was founded to create a professional platform that reflects the talent and dedication of this sport’s athletes.

‘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.’

Athletes did received 50 per cent of fees in October – with payments totalling around £5.5m – but a proposed 50 per cent payment deal to other creditors, including World Athletics, has not been agreed.

According to the filing, GST estimates that it has under £37,000 in assets and between £7.4m and £37m in liabilities. It has now promised to implement ‘a more efficient cost and operating model’.

UK Athletics turned down the chance to invest in GST last year, suggesting they considered it too much of a financial risk.