Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone Dominates Inaugural Grand Slam Track in Kingston
Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone secures the top prize at the first Grand Slam Track event in Kingston, showcasing her dominance in the 400m hurdles and 400m races.

Double Olympic champion Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone concluded the inaugural Grand Slam Track meeting in Kingston, Jamaica, with a stellar performance in the 400m. The 25-year-old American, who already holds the world record in the 400m hurdles, added another victory to her impressive resume by winning the long hurdles group and claiming the $100,000 top prize.
The Grand Slam Track is a groundbreaking competition conceived by former US sprinter Michael Johnson. It aims to unite the world's fastest athletes in four three-day events annually, offering substantial financial rewards to boost interest and competition in the sport.
Athletes compete in two events over three days, with their combined results determining the champion in each category and the grand prize winner. The categories include:
- Short sprints (100m and 200m)
- Short hurdles (100m hurdles for women, 110m hurdles for men, plus 100m for both)
- Long sprints (200m and 400m)
- Long hurdles (400m hurdles and 400m)
- Short distance (800m and 1500m)
- Long distance (3,000m and 5,000m)
Both hurdles categories feature one flat race, adding a unique twist to the competition.
Melissa Jefferson-Wooden mirrored McLaughlin-Levrone's success by sweeping the women's short sprints, while Alison dos Santos claimed the men's long hurdles title with a victory in the 400m. Sasha Zhoya of France won the men's short hurdles, and Jamaica's Danielle Williams took the women's event.
In the men's short distance category, Emmanuel Wanyonyi of Kenya emerged victorious, despite finishing second in the 800m behind Canada's Marco Arop. Wanyonyi's win in the 1500m secured his overall victory. Matthew Hudson-Smith of Britain topped the long sprints category with a win in the 200m, following a second-place finish in the 400m.
The next Grand Slam Track event is set to take place in Miami from 2-4 May, promising more thrilling performances and fierce competition.