Michael Johnson weighs in on Femke Bol joining Grand Slam Track and possible race with Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone

Michael Johnson expressed his thoughts about Femke Bol joining the Grand Slam Track and her possible race with Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone. Johnson also shared his thoughts on the Dutch athlete's race against Anna Cockrell and said that other athletes would be more competitive than McLaughlin-Levrone.

Grand Slam track received a lot of love from track fans after the first two editions of the meet in its inaugural year. As the track meet prepared for its upcoming edition in Philadelphia later this week, fans expressed their desire to watch Bol in the Grand Slam Track after her incredible season opener at the Rabat Diamond League in the women's 400m, where she set a new meet record.

Michael Johnson spoke about having Femke Bol compete in the Grand Slam Track by replying to a fan's message on X. The legendary athlete also weighed in on the possible race in the 400m hurdles between Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone and Bol. He shared that McLaughlin-Levrone had opted to compete in the short hurdles (100m hurdles) and the Long sprints.

Johnson shared that he would love to have Bol join the league and contribute to the highly competitive talent pool.

"If we’re honest, we know how that ends right? Would love to have Femke though. Femke vs Anna Cockrell and others is more competitive. Syd in Short Hurdles and Long Sprints is ideal, unless she’s going for another 400h WR," he said.

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Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone on signing to compete in Michael Johnson's Grand Slam Track

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone competes in the Grand Slam Track - Miami - Source: Getty

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone spoke about being one of the first athletes to sign with Grand Slam Track in a press conference. The American athlete shared how the new track league will create a revolution in the track space and elevate the sport to a larger audience.

Moreover, she expressed her excitement to compete in the Grand Slam Track as well as explore the opportunity to compete in a wide range of events, from the short sprints to the long sprints.

“I’m honored to be one of the first racers in Grand Slam Track. Michael’s vision is clear, and he’s exactly the leader this sport needs to break new ground. I am thrilled to be a part of this league and look forward to everything we have coming in the future. I firmly believe that this is the step forward that track needs to take it to another level, and I can't wait to get to work with the team,” she said (via The Athletic).

McLaughlin-Levrone hoped that it would help track and field as a whole and make it popular among the masses.

About the author

Adityan is a journalist and Content Manager for US Olympics Sports at Sportskeeda. He is a professional track & field athlete who competes in the 400m and 800m. This decade-long experience has taught him a lot about sports psychology, mindset, and passion, which he incorporates through his work to get the best outcome.

To make sure the content he delivers is genuine, Adityan keeps a tab on the official websites and the official social media channels of athletes and organizations. Before putting any information out in the public domain, he looks at the content from a fan’s perspective to connect with the readers as much as possible.

With a knack for crafting compelling narratives and insightful analysis, Adityan seamlessly blends his expertise in sports with his talent for storytelling, captivating readers and enthusiasts alike.

He has followed Usain Bolt's career very closely, and for him, the Jamaican defending his 100m gold in Rio is the greatest Olympic achievement of all time. Adityan indulges in traveling, trekking, off-roading, and hiking when not occupied with work.

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Edited by Adityan Pillai