The entire podium of the women’s 100m hurdles from the Paris Olympics — Masai Russell, Cyréna Samba-Mayela and Jasmine Camacho-Quinn have all signed to Grand Slam Track.
In an Olympics that featured several down to the wire track events decided by the slightest of margins, Russell (12.33), Samba-Mayela (12.34) and Camacho-Quinn (12.36) ran a 100m hurdles final that was a highlight of the Games.
Now, all three have signed with Michael Johnson’s new league as his roster of top track athletes continues to grow. And on Wednesday, the announcement of Russell, Samba-Mayela, and Camacho-Quinn to Grand Slam Track signaled an ongoing shift in the sport.
“Adding Masai, Cyréna, and Jasmine to our roster of Racers is a fantastic moment for this league, and fans of Track all around the world,” Johnson said in a statement. “These three incredibly talented young women provided the world with one of the best races of the Paris Olympic Games, and now we know for certain that we’ll be seeing that contest four more times in 2025.”
Russell is only the sixth American to win gold in the 100m hurdles since 1932 and made her Olympic debut in Paris. She is now guaranteed to run in all four of the league’s events in 2025.
“The vision for this league is clear – putting fans and athletes first, and that’s something I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to be a part of,” Russel said in a statement. “Coming off the Olympics, I want to continue regularly competing at the highest level, against the best in the world, and I’m certain that Grand Slam Track is the place for that.
Meanwhile, the addition of France’s Samba-Mayela and Puerto Rico’s Camacho-Quinn means that the intensity level during the four competitions will mean a possible repeat of the showdown in Paris.
“Representing Puerto Rico on the new biggest stage in global Track will be an honor for me,” Camacho-Quinn said in a statement. “As soon as I heard about the league, the concept, and the desire to keep Track at the forefront of the sports world, I knew I had to be a part of it. I can’t wait to get started, and am looking forward to facing Masai and Cyréna at all of the Slams next year.”
Johnson, grabbed the attention of the track and field world when he announced Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone as the first signing to his new league and has announced marquee talent to the roster since the end of the Paris Olympics. Fred Kerley, Kenny Bednarek, Cole Hocker, Yared Nuguse, Josh Kerr and Melissa Jefferson have all committed to participate in the league next year.
Each of the announced signings will compete as “Racers” and have to compete in all four Grand Slam Track event.
Johnson has also promised a significant boost in prize money for all participants, with event winners taking home $100,000 in addition to base compensation.
There will be 48 Racers and Challengers competing in short sprints, short hurdles, long sprints, long hurdles, short distance and long distance races.
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