Athletes who participated in Grand Slam Track (GST) events are reportedly still awaiting thousands of pounds in promised payments. This comes despite claims from GST founder and former Olympic champion Michael Johnson that all athletes had been paid.
Agents and sports-management companies have informed BBC Sport that athletes are yet to receive the money they are owed. Johnson had previously stated he had "got the athletes paid" following a "catastrophic capital issue" caused by investors withdrawing funds.
Johnson launched GST in 2025, promising lucrative prize money and salaries. The final event in Los Angeles was cancelled, and organisers voluntarily filed for bankruptcy in the US in December. Johnson's representatives have since conceded that the money has not yet reached the athletes.
It is understood that approximately $11m (£8.1m) owed to creditors, including athletes, is being held by a third party. Several high-profile athletes, including British former world 1500m champion Josh Kerr and Olympic 400m silver medallist Matthew Hudson-Smith, are among those owed payments, with some exceeding £100,000.