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Grand Slam Track Series Debut Highlights Star Performances and Attendance Challenges

Gabby Thomas and Kenny Bednarek secured $100,000 prizes for their victories, while organizers faced hurdles with sparse crowds in Kingston, Jamaica.

Athletics - Diamond League - Brussels - King Baudouin Stadium, Brussels, Belgium - September 13, 2024 Britain's Matthew Hudson-Smith looks on ahead of the men's 400m final REUTERS/Johanna Geron
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Olympic 200m champion Gabby Thomas was among the winners in the opening races of the new Grand Slam Track circuit in Kingston

Overview

  • The inaugural Grand Slam Track event in Kingston, Jamaica, concluded its first two days with standout performances by athletes like Gabby Thomas, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, and Kenny Bednarek.
  • Gabby Thomas won the women's long sprints category, earning $100,000 after a victory in the 200m and a second-place finish in the 400m with a personal best of 49.14 seconds.
  • Kenny Bednarek dominated the men's short sprints, securing victories in both the 100m and 200m races to claim the $100,000 prize for his category.
  • Despite the competitive success, the event struggled with low attendance, attributed to overlapping events in Kingston, logistical issues, and a lack of local coordination.
  • Organizers implemented measures such as offering free entry to students to improve turnout, with three more meets scheduled in the United States through June 2025.