WITH the Kingston leg of Grand Slam Track (GST) now complete, 12 athletes are beaming at having claimed US$100,000 (just under $16 million) each for winning their respective groupings.

GST founder Michael Johnson was committed to bringing innovation to athletics so as to grow the sport’s popularity. With that in mind, athletes competed over three days, once in a pet event, then in another which they may find more of a challenge. They are awarded points based on results, and the overall leader after both of their events takes the cash.

Danielle Williams was Jamaica’s sole prize winner, having finished second in the women’s 100m hurdles short hurdles on Saturday, then winning the women’s 100m dash short hurdles event on Sunday.

While elated to now be US$100,000 richer, she said it is not her priority.

“To be honest, I really don’t think about the money like that,” she said after her race yesterday. “I try to put focus on the things I can control — and that’s how I run my race. It’s a cool concept, and it’s good to know that you now walk away with so much money. It definitely is a great plus to us, and we deserve it. We try as hard as — if not harder than any other sport — just for 12 seconds, and you can’t get it back. So, I definitely am pleased with that.”

France’s Sasha Zhoya was second in the men’s 110m hurdles short hurdles on Saturday, but won the men’s 100m dash on Sunday. With an animated celebration after the race it was obvious just how much the money meant to him.

“It means [US]$100k in the bank, that’s what it means to me!” he said with a big grin after the win. “It’s exciting. It’s a new competition. Michael Johnson put his heart and effort into it and it shows that athletes are happy. We’re all participating, we’re all ready to hit up two events — different events — and look, it’s so fun. Even if some people didn’t win today, I think everyone’s happy and ecstatic and pleased to be here.”

Zhoya says he was advised by his mother to be smart with the money.

“I know she’ll be somewhere around here,” he said.

“She’ll be telling me to put the money in the bank. I think I might spend it a little bit though, you know,” he said with a chuckle. But what will it be spent on?

“I don’t know, training stuff, and a little bit of fun stuff as well. I’ve got to treat myself, maybe some new clothes, a new pair of kicks [shoes]. We’ll see.”

Kenny Bednarek of the United States, who won both the men’s 100m dash on Friday then the men’s 200m sprint on Saturday, also gave details of his intentions.

“I’m [US]$100k richer so I’ve got some plans,” he said after his second win. “I’ve got some plans [of what] to do with the money — invest, renovate the home. I’m just glad to be here and make [US]$100k.”

Even those athletes who did not top their group were glad to have taken home a larger earning than usual. One of these is Shiann Salmon, who was sixth in the women’s 400m hurdles long hurdles on Friday, then fourth in the women’s 400m dash long hurdles yesterday.

“Oh, my word!” she exclaimed when asked if this could be a game changer for athletes. “I just came fourth, and when I won and ran my personal best of 52.9 seconds it still didn’t compare to the prize that I’m getting now — so that is a big, big, big difference and I’m grateful for it,” Salmon said.

GST continues on the weekend of May 2-4 in Miami, Florida.