World Athletics has launched a blistering rebuke at the bankrupt Grand Slam Track league, declaring it unacceptable for the organization to plan new events while leaving a mountain of unpaid bills in its wake. The federation’s statement, released Monday, sides with the Association of Athletics Managers and sends a clear message: no settlement, no support.
In stark language, World Athletics called GST’s reported plan to set aside $400,000 for athlete recruitment ahead of a possible 2026 revival “unconscionable.”
The federation insisted that athletes, vendors, and service providers who fulfilled their obligations in good faith must be paid before any attempt to relaunch the league is entertained.
World Athletics made it plain that it will only consider licensing or backing future GST events once every outstanding debt is cleared.
Bankruptcy filings paint a grim picture: liabilities topping $40 million and unpaid claims to roughly 300 individuals and companies.
The documents name several high-profile athletes among the creditors, with sums owed including Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone ($268,750), Gabby Thomas ($185,625), and Marileidy Paulino ($173,125).
Even the league’s founder, Olympic legend Michael Johnson, appears on the creditor list, owed more than $2 million for a loan he extended before GST’s final meet in Philadelphia.
Requests for comment to GST president and CEO Steve Gera went unanswered, leaving the league’s next moves shrouded in uncertainty. World Athletics’ withdrawal of implicit support — previously shown by awarding world ranking points at GST meets — tightens the pressure on any would-be revival and underscores the federation’s insistence on accountability.
The bankruptcy case continues to unfold, with the next hearing scheduled for Wednesday.
For athletes and suppliers still waiting for payment, the courtroom timetable may determine whether they recover what they’re owed — or whether the Grand Slam Track saga becomes a cautionary tale about ambition without fiscal stewardship.
World Athletics’ hardline stance signals a broader principle: sporting ventures must honor their financial commitments before chasing fresh headlines. For now, the future of Grand Slam Track hangs in the balance, and the sport’s governing body has made clear that rebuilding credibility will require more than promises — it will require full restitution.
