NEW YORK, United States — Jamaican Olympians Ackera Nugent and Roshawn Clarke have signed with Grand Slam Track, the professional track competition launched earlier this year by four-time US Olympic champion Michael Johnson.

Grand Slam Track announced the signings on Thursday.

Both athletes competed at the Paris Olympics this past summer, and they are down to feature in all four Grand Slam Track Slams in 2025, giving fans the chance to see them race on the world stage, organisers said in a news release.

“Ackera and Roshawn are incredible talents who have achieved major success at such a young age,” said Michael Johnson, the league’s founder and commissioner. “Both of them have already made their mark on the global stage, and I’m excited to see how they continue to grow in Grand Slam Track. They represent the next generation of world-class Jamaican competitors, and I know they’re going to bring something special to the league.”

Nugent specialises in the 100m hurdles and is one of Jamaica’s top emerging athletes. She holds the 2021 World Under-20 Championship title and set a national record of 12.28 seconds at the 2024 Jamaican championships. A rising star, Nugent competed in the Paris 2024 Olympics and reached the final of the 100m hurdles. She continued her international season after Paris and lowered her national record to 12.24 at the Rome Golden Gala making her the fourth fastest women in the history of the event. Her progression from U20 champion to global contender has solidified her as one of the brightest young talents in the hurdles.

“For me, it’s all about growth,” said Nugent. “I’m constantly looking for ways to get better, and Grand Slam Track gives me the platform to do just that. Racing at this level, over and over, against the best in the world, is what I’ve always wanted, and I’m ready to see how much more I can achieve.”

Roshawn Clarke, at just 20 years old, has already made a significant mark in the 400m hurdles. After setting a world U20 record of 47.34 at the 2023 World Championships, he went on to compete in the 2024 Paris Olympics, reaching the final. His rapid rise has earned him recognition as one of Jamaica’s most promising young athletes.

“I like the idea of Grand Slam Track because it changes how things usually are in track,” said Clarke. “I’m ready to jump into this and compete against the best while testing myself. This league gives me that chance. Racing in all four Slams means I’ll have the opportunity to show what I can really do.”

Organisers said each year, 48 athletes will be named to the league as Grand Slam Track racers. Nugent and Clarke join a stacked roster of talents announced so far in Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, Melissa Jefferson, Masai Russell, Quincy Hall, Fred Kerley, Kenny Bednarek, Cole Hocker, Yared Nuguse, Grant Fisher, Josh Kerr, Matthew Hudson-Smith, Nikki Hiltz, Cyrena Samba-Mayela, Jasmine Camacho-Quinn, Alison Dos Santos, Ronald Kwemoi, Muzala Samukonga, and Clement Ducos.

The 48 racers are selected by the Grand Slam Track Racing Committee based on a combination of factors to include the fastest and best racers in each race group, with a focus on fierce rivalries and thrilling competitive racing. Grand Slam Track racers commit to competing in all four slams per year.
They will receive an annual base compensation for competing in each slam and are eligible for full prize money, according to the organisers.

They noted as well that Grand Slam Track Racers will receive annual contracts, access to the Grand Slam Track content and data services team, inclusion in the league collective, group licensing and new revenue opportunities, plus access to world class athlete support services throughout the season. Grand Slam Track Racers are compensated under contract to race and promote the league and receive additional marketing and branding support, the organisers said.

The remaining 48 racers will be known as Grand Slam Track Challengers and will be paid a set appearance fee to compete at individual Slams. Grand Slam Track Challengers are chosen by the Grand Slam Track Racing Committee based on a combination of factors including recent performances, and the most intriguing athletes and match-ups, the organisers added.

According to the release, Grand Slam Track has secured more than US$30 million in financial commitments from investors and strategic partners for the launch of the league. Winners Alliance, a global, athlete-centric commercial solution and Johnson’s operating partner, was the lead investor in the first fundraising close for the new venture.

The investment in the league will aid in Johnson’s ultimate goal: to develop better engagement with fans by promoting track and field’s biggest stars and reaching new audiences with unique, innovative storytelling, the release stated.