Kingston, first stop of the new League created by Michael Johnson

Kingstoncapital of Jamaicawill host next April the first of four annual meetings of the Grand Slam Tracka new athletics circuit created by Michael Johnsonas announced this Monday by the legendary American athlete.

Kingston, town of Usain Boltthe fastest man in history, joins Los Angeles as an organized city. The other two venues for this new Athletics League will be announced shortly.

“We are excited to launch the Grand Slam in Kingston. Jamaica has a very strong history in this sport. The talent and love for this sport makes Jamaica a perfect place for what we are building,” explained by Johnson, 57, in his day world record holder in the 200 meters and winner of four Olympic gold medals between Barcelona’92 and Sydney’2000.

Organized between April and September, the four Grand Slam Track meetings, spread over three days, will offer only races (short sprint, long sprint, high hurdles, low hurdles, middle distance and long distance). The program does not include jumping or throwing.

Each circuit meeting will distribute more than three million dollars in prizes, distributed from the winner ($100,000) to eighth place ($10,000).

Michael Johnson, who promised to bring together “the best in the category” in direct confrontations, has entered several champions of the Paris Olympic Games, including Sydney McLaughlin-Levronewinner of the women’s 400 meter hurdles.

The Olympic podium for the women’s 100 hurdles was also announced, along with the American Masai Russell (gold), the French Cyréna Samba-Mayela (silver) and Puerto Rico Jasmine Camacho-Quinn (copper).

American sprinter Melissa Jefferson, Fred Kerley and Kenny Bednarekall the Olympic medalists in Paris, are also in the program.

The inaugural meeting in Kingston will be held a few weeks before the start of the season of Diamond Leaguethe traditional circuit organized by World Athleticsscheduled for April 26 in China.