GRAND SLAM TRACK™ Announces Signings of Nikki Hiltz, Grant Fisher, & Ronald Kwemoi
Roster of Racers continues to grow with elite track talent from across the world
New York, NY (October 15th, 2024) – Grand Slam Track™, the new global home of professional track competition, founded by four-time US Olympic Champion Michael Johnson, has officially welcomed top Olympic distance runners Nikki Hiltz, Grant Fisher, and Ronald Kwemoi to its roster. All three athletes excelled at the Paris Olympics earlier this year, with Kwemoi claiming silver in the men’s 5000m, and Fisher securing two bronze medals in the men’s 5000m and 10000m events. These talented Racers are set to participate in all four Grand Slam Track™ Slams in 2025, offering fans the exciting opportunity to witness these superstar athletes compete against their rivals in high-stakes competitions four times next year.
“We are thrilled to add top-tier talent like Nikki, Grant, and Ronald to our roster of Grand Slam Track™ Racers,” said Michael Johnson, the league’s founder and Commissioner. “With their exceptional performances and engaging personalities, we are excited to officially welcome them to the Grand Slam Track™ family. Nikki is a standout in the 1500m circuit, while Grant and Ronald’s close competition in the 5000m in Paris promises thrilling clashes on the track. Fans worldwide can look forward to watching these rivalries unfold four times a year in Grand Slam Track™.”
Hiltz, hailing from Santa Cruz, California, is a six-time NCAA Division I All-American who competed for both the Oregon Ducks and the Arkansas Razorbacks. Holding the American record in the mile, Hiltz won a National Championship and a Pac-12 Championship in 2015. They also clinched the silver medal at the 2024 World Indoor Championships and finished 7th in the 1500m at the Paris Olympics after qualifying for the final.
“I’m incredibly excited to be part of Grand Slam Track™,” said Hiltz. “The opportunity to compete in elite meets like these Slams on a regular basis is a game-changer for us as athletes, and I’m confident that fans will embrace this concept. MJ’s vision for the league was compelling, making it an easy decision for me to join. I can’t wait to get started.”
Fisher, originally from Calgary, Alberta, Canada, but representing the United States, earned two bronze medals at the recent Olympic Games in Tokyo. With eleven NCAA Division I All-American honors and multiple championships under his belt, Fisher boasts an impressive track record. His involvement in Grand Slam Track™ presents an exciting opportunity for him to compete against the fastest athletes in the world in four high-level Slams next year.
“I’m thrilled to be part of Grand Slam Track™, which I believe represents the future of our sport,” said Fisher. “The chance to compete at four elite Slams in 2025 against the world’s top athletes signifies a significant shift for track and field. Coming off the momentum of the Olympics, this platform offers us Racers a thrilling opportunity to face off regularly, with significant rewards and bragging rights on the line. I’m eagerly anticipating hitting the track next year and determining who truly reigns supreme.”
Kwemoi, a Kenyan athlete from Mount Elgon District, Bungoma County, made his mark by securing the silver medal in the 5000m at the Paris Olympics. As the first Kenyan athlete to sign with Grand Slam Track™, Kwemoi brings a wealth of experience and skill to the league. Initially specializing in the 1500m, Kwemoi transitioned to longer distances and is poised to dominate his competition in Grand Slam Track™.
“I’m thrilled to be the inaugural athlete representing Kenya in Grand Slam Track™,” said Kwemoi. “I’m eager to continue challenging myself against the best runners on the global stage, and Grand Slam Track™ provides the perfect platform for that. This league is an exciting venture to be a part of, and I can’t wait for the Slams to kick off next year.”
Each year, 48 athletes will be selected as Grand Slam Track™ Racers. Hiltz, Fisher, and Kwemoi join a stellar lineup of talents such as Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, Melissa Jefferson, Masai Russell, Quincy Hall, Fred Kerley, Kenny Bednarek, Cole Hocker, Yared Nuguse, Josh Kerr, Matthew Hudson-Smith, Cyrena Samba-Mayela, Jasmine Camacho-Quinn, Alison Dos Santos, Muzala Samukonga, and Clement Ducos. The selection of the 48 Racers by the Grand Slam Track™ Racing Committee is based on various criteria to ensure the fastest and best racers in each race group are included, with a focus on fostering fierce rivalries and delivering thrilling competitive racing experiences. Grand Slam Track™ Racers commit to participating in all four Slams annually, earning a base compensation for each event and qualifying for full prize money. Additionally, Racers benefit from annual contracts, access to the Grand Slam Track™ content and data services team, membership in the league collective, group licensing, new revenue opportunities, and world-class athlete support services throughout the season. Racers are contractually obligated to race, promote the league, and receive additional marketing and branding support.
The remaining 48 athletes will be known as Grand Slam Track™ Challengers and will receive a set appearance fee to compete at individual Slams. The Grand Slam Track™ Racing Committee selects Challengers based on recent performances, intriguing athletes, and potential matchups.
Racers and Challengers will compete in one of the designated categories and participate in two events during each Slam, such as short sprints (100m/200m), short hurdles (100H or 110H/100m), long sprints (200m/400m), long hurdles (400H/400m), short distance (800m/1500m), or long distance (3000m/5000m). The final placement of competitors will be determined by their combined finishing order in the two races. In cases of a tie, the winner will be the athlete with the quickest combined time. The champion of each Slam group will receive $100,000 in prize money, while the 8th place finisher will earn $10,000. Grand Slam Track™ will distribute $12.6 million in prize money across the slams annually, in addition to compensating Racers with base earnings and appearance fees.
Grand Slam Track™ prioritizes head-to-head competition over winning times, with no pacers or pacing lights employed. Each Slam holds equal importance, featuring its own prize purse and independent scoring system. Points and previous finishes do not carry over to subsequent Slams. Each athlete will compete twice during the three-day event, and all races will adhere to World Athletics regulations, enabling achieved marks to be ranked and acknowledged.
Racers will wear their sponsor-branded kits without traditional hip numbers or bibs. Athletes are encouraged to collaborate with sponsors to design custom kits that reflect their unique style. Grand Slam Track™ has no exclusive sponsorship agreement with any shoe company, recognizing all shoe companies as essential stakeholders and partners in promoting the athletes.
With over $30 million in financial commitments from investors and strategic partners, Grand Slam Track™ has launched with significant backing from Winners Alliance, a global athlete-centric commercial solution, and Johnson’s operating partner. This investment will aid Johnson’s goal of enhancing fan engagement, promoting track and field’s top stars, and engaging new audiences through innovative storytelling.
Ticket sales information will be released in the future. For more details, follow @GrandSlamTrack on social media platforms and visit grandslamtrack.com.
About Michael Johnson
Born in Dallas, Texas, Michael Johnson is a Hall of Fame track and field star, known as one of the greatest sprinters in history. With four Olympic gold medals and eight World Championships, Johnson set world and Olympic records in the 200m and 400m races. At the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, Johnson became the first male athlete to win Gold in both the 200m and 400m at the same Olympics. Since his retirement, Johnson has ventured into entrepreneurship, investment, and is a sought-after speaker on performance mindset. He has been a key figure in BBC’s Olympic Games coverage since Athens 2004 and remains a prominent voice and advocate for the sport. Johnson was inducted into the United States Track and Field Hall of Fame in 2004.
