Track Legend's Surprising Comment About Jamaica

^{Nov 15, 2024 | Edition #50}

👋 Hey, Speedsters!

Can you believe it? Our 50th edition—a true milestone for all of us! This week, we’re not just celebrating a number; we’re celebrating the community that makes every edition possible. Together, we’ve witnessed the off-season burst to life with surprises that connect us all. From the gripping drama with UK Athletics, the thrill of the Grand Slam track venues being unveiled, and Kenny Bednarek’s touching tribute to his family, it’s a week full of moments that bring us closer. And as we honor the remarkable legacy of a shot put legend who inspired generations, we’re reminded of the shared love that binds this sport and its people. Let’s dive in and celebrate this journey—together!

📜 QUOTE OF THE DAY

“The only one who can beat me is me!”

— Michael Johnson

In today’s newsletter, we’ll uncover these top stories from the Track & Field universe:

🏃🏻 Michael Johnson’s GST Vision Faces Setback

👀 ‘GST’s Controversial Kickoff

🫡 Remembering Dallas Long: The Shot Put Maestro!

🏅 Kenny Bednarek’s Mission Beyond the Medal

📈 Trending News

UK Athletics Pulls the Plug on Michael Johnson’s GST Vision

Michael Johnson’s ambitious Grand Slam Track (GST) series has hit a massive roadblock, thanks to UK Athletics (UKA) backing out at the eleventh hour. And trust us, this isn’t just a minor hiccup—it’s a full-on faceplant for Johnson’s vision.

Here’s the deal: GST was set to have two meets in the U.S., with the rest scattered across international venues. Birmingham’s Alexander Stadium and London Stadium were among the rumored UK options. But just as talks were heating up, UKA pulled the plug, citing—wait for it—financial risk! Before we dive in further, let’s see what Grand Slam Track actually is!

Jack Buckner, UKA’s chief executive, tried to smooth things over, saying, "We’re positive about Michael Johnson’s format. But three days of just track athletics is a lot of tickets to sell in the London Stadium and the cost base comes pretty high there. They did approach us and we had a really good discussion with them. We would like to have a bigger, more comprehensive events portfolio, but we want that built on strong foundations that are sustainable." Translation? UKA doesn’t believe a sprint-heavy meet will fill enough seats to justify the cost.

It’s not hard to see why they’re spooked. In 2022, UKA took an £800,000 hit hosting the Diamond League in Birmingham. Then came another £500,000 loss during the 2023 World Indoor Tour. Sure, their financial losses have reduced—down to £1.2 million this year from £3.7 million last year—but they’re still treading water. They’re aiming to break even by 2026, and gambling on GST clearly didn’t make the cut.

What makes this so shocking? The UK is a powerhouse in athletics, having hosted global blockbusters like the London 2012 Olympics, the 2017 World Championships, and the Commonwealth Games. Yet here we are, with UKA refusing to take a chance on a new, high-profile series. But now, what are the four GST venues that have been locked in? That's coming right up in our next story!

Continue Reading: Grand Slam Track Will Look to ‘Elevate the Sport’ During a Non-Olympic Year

📊 POLL OF THE DAY

🗣️Debate-of-the-Day

Michael Johnson’s Jamaican Gamble is Sparking Debate!

We’ve got quite the situation brewing with the Grand Slam Track (GST), and it’s turning heads for all the right and wrong reasons. Michael Johnson’s ambitious plan is slowly coming together, with the finalization of four debut venues for the 2025 season. It’s a big step forward, but one choice in particular is sparking a lot of debate.

The venues are set: Drake Stadium at UCLA, the National Stadium in Kingston, Jamaica, the Ansin Sports Complex in Miami, and Franklin Field at UPenn in Philadelphia. Sounds solid, right? But here’s where things get complicated—Jamaica. Three of the venues are in the U.S., but Johnson has opted to kick things off in the heart of our biggest rival in track and field: Jamaica. Why the curveball? Well, according to the GST organizers, Jamaica’s legacy in the sport is undeniable. With legends like Usain Bolt hailing from the island, it’s a fitting tribute to a nation that’s produced some of the world’s best athletes. As they put it, “Going there first is honestly a sign of respect for everything Jamaica and Jamaicans have brought to track and field.”

But let’s not sugarcoat it—this decision has raised more than a few eyebrows. Johnson, an American, is choosing Jamaica to launch a major event, despite the country’s lack of track facilities and experience hosting large-scale international events. The U.S. may not be thrilled with the choice, and that’s where the tension lies. So, while the organizers want to honor Jamaica’s contribution to the sport, there’s a real risk of reigniting the fierce USA-Jamaica rivalry.

Then, there’s the question of the U.S. venues. Johnson is vocal about the lack of investment in track and field in the States, but as he says, “Here in the U.S., we just have real conviction around it.” And he’s got a point. Philly’s Franklin Field, home of the iconic Penn Relays, is a no-brainer for track fans. Meanwhile, the Ansin Sports Complex in Miami, with its modest 5,000-seat capacity, has us curious about how the GST plans to work with such a unique venue. The one upside here? These locations are guaranteed to draw local crowds, and from a business standpoint, that’s crucial.

But the real question remains—has Johnson bitten off more than he can chew by mixing tribute with rivalry?

Continue Reading: Franklin Field Earns a Stop on Michael Johnson’s Grand Slam Track Circuit Next Year

📽️ Video Vault

The Banned Shot Put Technique!

The 'cartwheel' shot put technique, which first emerged at the high school level, eventually made its way to professional circuits in Europe. Coaches praised it, claiming it could add an impressive 4-6 feet to a throw's height! But why was this innovative technique eventually banned? Let’s see!

⏳Timeless Legends

The Shot Put Legend Who Redefined the Sport

We’ve lost an icon who redefined a sport. Did you recognize him from the image? Yes? No?

Iconic shot putter and an American sporting hero, Dallas Long, passed away of natural causes in Whitefish, leaving behind a legacy that’ll be hard to match.

For those who remember him, Long wasn’t just an athlete—he was our athlete. If you’re not familiar with Long, let us fill you in: he was the face of the shot put in the 1960s, a true master of the event. His dominance was undeniable—starting with three NCAA championship titles and then taking the global stage by storm. A Bronze in Rome and a Gold in Tokyo cemented his place as one of the greatest. These achievements didn’t just belong to him—they belonged to everyone who cheered him on, who saw a piece of their dreams in his journey. Long gave us all something to celebrate, to believe in, and he kept doing it.

Dallas Long wasn’t just a one-hit wonder. He set the world record 11 times between 1959 and 1965 and was ranked No. 1 in the world three times during that era. The man was unstoppable. His impact was felt all the way through California, where he first made his mark at USC. It was here that Long broke records, with his 63-7 throw in 1959, standing tall for decades until 2015. He was the heart of USC’s 1961 NCAA championship team and quickly became the captain, leading by example with his talent and dedication.

Long’s records don’t just live on in the books—they’re part of USC history, with his 65-10.50 still sitting as the sixth-best throw on the school's all-time list. But his legacy goes beyond the track. Outside of athletics, Long earned a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from USC and a Doctor of Medicine degree from Washington University, proving that his talents went far beyond the shot put circle.

So, while we mourn the loss of Dallas Long, we also celebrate a life well-lived. His impact on the sport and on those who followed his journey is irreplaceable. We’ll miss him, but his legacy will continue to inspire us for generations to come.

Continue Reading: Leaving Track and Field for Medical Career, USA Legend Passes Away at 84

 🏅Beyond-the-Medals

Kenny Bednarek's Quest for Heritage Beyond the Track

We’ve got an athlete with a serious mission on his hands. It’s not just about track records or Olympic gold. Kenny Bednarek is racing toward something bigger—finding his biological family. For him, the pursuit of victory is wrapped up in a quest for identity. His journey starts with a tough truth: adoption. "I was trouble kid. My birth parents put me and my brother out for adoption at the age of four. So, me and him were kind of through from foster home to the foster home. We didn’t know what was really happening," he said.

Sure, Kenny was lucky enough to land with a loving foster mom, but that curiosity about his birth family never really left. He opened up on Sprint 2, revealing, "Winning the Olympic gold could help me find out more about myself, my heritage, and, you know, my biological brothers and sisters that I’ve had. They’re out there somewhere, and, you know, maybe after winning this gold medal could help me find that out, find where they’re at." 

But here’s the twist—despite being one of the top sprinters in the world, Bednarek doesn’t feel like he’s gotten the media spotlight he deserves. That’s why he knew he had to make some serious waves to grab attention—not just for his career, but to potentially spark a connection with his family. After all, in the race for gold, this is as much about finding his roots as it is about crossing the finish line first.

Now, don’t get the wrong idea—Kenny knows where he’s from. He proudly identifies as West African, with nearly 76% of his heritage traced back to Nigeria. But track? That’s the only part of his heritage he feels connected to. "When I always step on the track and the gun goes off, that’s where I most feel like. This is the only thing I have so far of, like, my heritage," he explained.

But the dream doesn’t stop there. It’s not just about winning—it’s about finding his family. Kenny’s pushing for that gold, sure, but the silver he brought back from Paris might be just the thing that finally opens the door to his past. It’s not over yet, and for Kenny, it’s all just the beginning!

Continue Reading: Abandoned by Biological Parents, Kenny Bednarek Had a Deeper Motive at Paris Olympics: ”Escape My Worries”

📝 Highlighted Stories!

1. Julien Alfred Expresses Biggest Struggles Before Track & Field Domination - Full Story

2. Disappointed With Netflix’s ‘Sprint,’ Letsile Tebogo Throws Shade at USA’s Track and Field Realm - Full Story

3. Sha’Carri Richardson Was Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce’s Biggest Threat at Paris Olympics - Full Story

4. Throwing Shade at Noah Lyles and Others, Letsile Tebogo Makes a Heartbreaking Confession - Full Story

5. Hunter Woodhall’s Noah Lyles Claim Validated as Justin Gatlin Questions $100,000 Win - Full Story

That’s it for today, folks! We’ll look to knock on your inbox soon with more interesting stories!

💌 FEEDBACK