Shocking Empty Stands for Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone & Gabby Thomas As Calls Mount Against Grand Slam Track

Track and field has always been the underdog of the sports world—fewer races, hardly any airtime, and prize money that barely covers the flight home. But Michael Johnson, the four-time Olympic gold medalist who’s lived the grind, wasn’t about to let the sport he loves keep getting the short end of the stick. He launched Grand Slam Track, a bold new vision to breathe life back into the sport. It was supposed to be a turning point, the kind of moment that puts track back on the map. And yes, the big debut on April 4 in Kingston, Jamaica, had all eyes watching until it stumbled out of the gate. So what happened when the hype hit reality?

You’d think with all the hype flooding X just days before the race—clips, promos, and a star-studded lineup featuring Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, Gabby Thomas, Masai Russell, Cole Hocker, and more—it’d be standing room only, right? The energy online was electric. It felt like track and field was finally about to have its moment. And to kick it all off? Gabby Thomas lined up for the women’s 200m. First race of the whole Grand Slam Track series. All eyes are on her. You could almost feel the buzz through the screen only! Yes!

I was definitely expecting a much bigger crowd for this Kingston leg of the Grand Slam Track. Not sure why there aren’t many people on the stadium.

— Fentuo Tahiru Fentuo (@Fentuo_) April 4, 2025

Gabby did what Gabby does—came off the bend behind Dina Asher-Smith, hit the gas, and stormed to the win in 22.62 seconds. Paulino was second, Asher-Smith third. Solid race. Great start. Should’ve brought the house down. Right? Well, not really, and if we were you, we wouldn’t get our hopes up, because the reality was underwhelming.

When Thomas crossed the finish line, she was met with resounding…silence. No roar from the crowd. Hardly any clapping. Nothing. Why? Because… there was no crowd. The stands were nearly empty. For the launch of something meant to save the sport, it was a rough wake-up call. And yeah, the track and field world noticed. Big time.

One fan said what everyone was thinking: “I was definitely expecting a much bigger crowd for this Kingston leg of the Grand Slam Track. Not sure why there aren’t many people in the stadium.” Another didn’t hold back either: “I’m really up for Grand Slam Track, but can we please call the 200m the 200m, not the ‘Long Sprint’? The empty stadium in Jamaica isn’t a good look. I hope it works because athletics needs a kick up the bum.” And honestly, they’ve got a point. Launching in Jamaica wasn’t some random pick—Michael Johnson knew exactly what he was doing. If you’re gonna start a new era in track, why not do it in the heart of sprinting country?

Jamaica doesn’t just like track and field—it eats, sleeps, and breathes it. This is the home of legends like Usain Bolt, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, Elaine Thompson-Herah, and Asafa Powell. It’s where track is more than a sport—it’s part of the culture. So when the first Grand Slam Track race went down at Kingston’s National Stadium—a place that holds 35,000—and barely anyone showed up? Yeah, that stung. Outside of the athletes’ families and a few scattered fans, the place was basically empty. For a country that usually brings the noise, this was way too quiet.

And that whole “Long Sprint” label for Gabby Thomas’ race? That’s just Grand Slam Track trying to be different. They’re grouping events by style—short sprint, long sprint, middle distance, endurance, you get the idea. So the women’s 200m gets tossed into the “long sprint” bucket with the 400m. It’s supposed to make things easier for casual fans, but to die-hard track lovers? It just sounds weird.

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