Grand Slam Track (GST) series founder Michael Johnson says Jamaica stands to benefit greatly from the first staging of the cash-rich event as millions of viewers from around the world will be tuning in when Kingston hosts its leg at the National Stadium from April 4-6.

GST, a track-specific professional competition, will involve four race meets, each in a different city. The concept is inspired by tennis, which features four major tournaments in its seasonal schedule. Johnson says that with Kingston, Los Angeles will be one of the host cities, with the other two locations to be announced in the coming weeks.

The event has already attracted some of the biggest names in international track and field, including American stars Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, Fred Kerley, Kenny Bednarek, Alison Dos Santos of Brazil, and Jasmine Camacho-Quinn of Puerto Rico, as well as Jamaicans Rushell Clayton, Roshawn Clarke, and Ackera Nugent. More athletes are expected to be added to the roster.

The championships promise the largest cash prizes in the sport, with a total of US$12.5 million (just under $2 billion). Each winner receives US$100,000 (just under $16 million).

“Track is the third most popular sport in the world, with 2.5 billion people interested in participating in and following it. Millions of eyes will be tuning into this event,” Johnson said after the media launch in Kingston on Monday.

“We are committed to using this platform and this great global sport to highlight the work happening here, and we are dedicated to working with the track and field community for the betterment of all sports in Jamaica.

“Jamaican athletes have represented this country in an amazing way around the world for years, and I think it’s time to bring it back here and highlight the sport, as well as the country’s excellence in track.”

With the addition of Clarke, Clayton, and Nugent, Johnson, a four-time Olympic champion and former 200m world record holder, says they will continue to recruit more Jamaican and other international athletes for the event.

“We have three Jamaican racers currently signed as Grand Slam Racers, who will compete in all four of our events,” he said. “We’re not done, and we will continue to sign athletes to our league. There will be more Jamaican athletes added to our roster as well.

“The inspiration and the vision behind Grand Slam Track is to truly professionalise this sport. We are taking the sport to the next level. Track and field is recognised for its greatness, but it has not evolved and innovated with the times. At the heart of Grand Slam is a desire to revolutionise the sport and present it to a modern audience.”

Sport Minister Olivia Grange says hosting the championships in Jamaica next year will boost sports tourism.

“Grand Slam Track fits well into our Government’s sports development thrust, which aims to position Jamaica as the best country to participate in, watch, and talk about sports,” Grange said. “This event is an example of the outcome we have been working to achieve, and we want to thank Michael Johnson and his team for ensuring that Jamaica is part of it.

“It is an ambition of mine, as minister of sport, and of the Government, to make Jamaica a premier venue for international sports competitions and to host meetings for international federations.”