The growing Grand Slam Track roster got a boost on Tuesday as the league announced the signings of Alexis Holmes, Nickisha Pryce, Hagos Gebrhiwet, Oblique Seville and Sasha Zhoya.
These latest additions now mean that 43 athletes have joined the league as ‘Racers’ and will appear in all four meets when competition kicks off on April 4 in Kingston, Jamaica.
“Grand Slam Track is creating a platform where the best of the best come together to push the limits of speed and endurance,” Michael Johnson, the league’s founder said in a statement. “The level of competition this league is attracting is unmatched, and with these five incredible athletes joining the roster, fans are in for an unforgettable experience. From Kingston to Miami, Philadelphia, and Los Angeles, we’re bringing the ultimate Festival of Speed to the fans, and I can’t wait to see what these Racers will accomplish as they take on the world’s top competition. We’re delighted to welcome Nickisha, Alexis, Hagos, Oblique and Sasha into the Grand Slam Track family.”
Just five ‘Racer’ slots remain to complete the group of 48 contracted athletes who will battle against 48 ‘Challengers’ who are all in line for cash prizes that among the highest in the sport. Event winners will take home $100,000 and eighth place finishers receive $10,000.
Meanwhile, the new signings are a mix of speedy sprinters, hurdlers and distance talents.
Holmes helped pushed Team USA’s 4x400m relay team to gold at the Paris Olympics and the unit of Shamier Little, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, Gabby Thomas — along with Holmes — have all inked deals to take part in the new league next year.
“I’m really excited to be part of Grand Slam Track. I’m a competitor, and I love the idea of lining up with the best of the best,” Holmes said in a statement. “In my first two years as a pro, I’ve had a lot of success on the world & Olympic stage, but I’m not satisfied. I think Grand Slam Track™ will be a great opportunity to continue showcasing my tenacity, growth & hard work this season.”
Pryce has won the Jamaican 400m national titles in 2023 and 2023 and broke the NCAA record and Jamaican national record with her 48.89-second performance at the NCAA National Track and Field Outdoor Championships in June. The next month she improved on the mark, clocking a 48.57 time at the London Diamond League.
“I’ve spent years working toward competing at the highest level, and this is the perfect opportunity to push myself even further,” Pryce said in a statement. “I’m excited for the challenge and ready to bring my best to every race. The road ahead will be tough, but I believe I have the strength to rise to it and accomplish even more, both on and off the track.”
Gebrhiwet finished fifth in the 5,000m final at the 2024 Paris Olympics and broke the Ethiopian national record in the 5,000m with in 12:36.73 at the Bislett Games in May.
Seville ran the 100m in a world-leading 9.82 seconds at the Racers Grand Prix in Kingston in June, earning a spot on Jamaica’s national team in the Paris Olympics, where he finished eight in the men’s 100m final.
Zhoya competes in the 60m hurdles and 110m hurdles and is a three-time French national champion with numerous youth records under his belt, as he holds the current under-18 performances in the 110m hurdles (12.87s), 60m hurdles (7.48s) and the under-20 marks in the 110m hurdles (12.72s) and 60 m hurdles (7.34).
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(Photo courtesy of Nike)
