A wind of freshness and novelty will soon blow through the international sporting movement, in its summer version but also on the front of winter disciplines. It is announced from the United States. Not really a scoop. But, less expected, it is inspired by two former athletes, two legends of sport, both determined to circumvent the institutions to impose their ideas and their initiative.
Michael Johnson, the four-time Olympic athletics champion (photo above, at the microphone), paved the way by announcing last February his project to create a professional league, richly endowed and designed to meet the expectations of broadcasters. Shaun White, the snowboarding legend, three-time gold medalist at the Winter Games, takes his turn. The American also plans to create a new competition circuit.
Starting first, Michael Johnson made further progress in his project. He revealed the latest details on Tuesday June 18. Above all, the Texan announced the name of his first recruit among the best athletes in the world. An impressive one : Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, the Olympic champion and world record holder in the 400 meters hurdles (photo above, in white).
The American was present this week at an event organized by the future athletics league. She confirmed having signed a contract with the new structure created by Michael Johnson. “It will shine a light on athletes, give them the opportunity to compete against the best and be rewarded for it”, explained the American.
Nice catch for Michael Johnson. And serious chances of attracting some other big names on the track into their nets. For its first edition, announced for next year, its athletics league called “Grand Slam Track” plans to distribute $12,6 million in bonuses to athletes. “The largest prize money in the history of athletics », assures Michael Johnson.
The circuit will have four stages. Two will take place in the United States, including one in Los Angeles, with the other two to be held abroad. Each competition, lasting three days, will only offer races, grouped by “families”: short sprint, long sprint, high hurdles, low hurdles, middle distance and long distance. Michael Johnson seems to have forgotten that athletics also involves jumping and throwing. A lack of taste.
In each event group, eight athletes will take to the track, but for only two races per meeting (example, 100 and 200 m). The winner will receive a jackpot of 100.000 dollars, the second 50.000 dollars, and so on until the 8th, rewarded with a check for 10.000 dollars. No one will therefore leave with empty pockets.
Coincidence of the calendar: Michael Johnson presented his project at a press conference this week in Los Angeles, at the same time as Shaun White announced his. The former American snowboarder and skateboarder, now 37 years old, also wants to go very fast. Its new halfpipe competition circuit, called “The Snow League », should begin next March.
At first glance, Shaun White's idea looks like a sister to the initiative imagined by Michael Johnson. A circuit of five stages, between March 2025 and March 2026, where the freestyle halfpipe will also be on display. The first stage will take place in the United States. The next four will visit the rest of the world. At stake is a prize pool of $1,5 million.
Each competition will bring together 20 men and 16 women, with a qualifying round on the first day, then a knockout round on the second day, from the quarter-finals to the final. To the winner, the Snow League », will pay 50.000 dollars.
Comment from Shaun White: “The Snow League will offer riders, freestyle skiers and sports enthusiasts from around the world a platform to express themselves in what is, in my eyes, the most exciting event in all sports. » Not less.
