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Michael johnson: his new athletics:
Athletes not paid
Michael Johnson’s revolutionary league is crumbling under the debts – Michael johnson: his new athletics
The former American sprinter wanted to revolutionize athletics with the great slam track. For example, That racing events, a record “prize money” and already $ 13 million in debts.
Michael Johnson, American Olympic champion and organizer of the Grand Slam Track, faces many financial difficulties.
IMAGO
She was to be a “new legendary league” of athletics, a series of events that “revolutionize” sport. However, In any case. However, this was what the organizers michael johnson: his new athletics of the Grand Slam Trackin particular the former American sprinter Michael Johnson, co -founder and managing director.
A year later, the results of the four meetings initially planned is quite different. Consequently, When kicking off in Kingston, Jamaica, a large part of the stands remained empty. Nevertheless, In Miami too, the stadium was far from complete. For example, In Philadelphia, only one of the two days of the event took place. Furthermore, The fourth and last round of the league, scheduled for late June in Los Angeles, was purely and simply canceled.
Colossal debts revealed by the media
Michael Johnson justified the revocation by evoking economic uncertainty. For example, “We wanted to ensure long -term financial stability, which made it impossible to establish an organization in Los Angeles.”
Several weeks after cancellation and the nebulous explanations of the ex-athlete, the real reasons of the fiasco begin to emerge. For example, In early July. the “Times” revealed delays in payment of commitment compensation and prices for athletes, information that the organizers of the Grand Slam Track later confirmed. The sprinter tried to appease tensions by ensuring that the funds would be transferred within two months. But the evil was done, and it was only the beginning.
Apparently, athletes are not the only ones not to be remunerated. The sites that host competitions are not more so. In total, it would miss about $ 13 million, according to various media, including “Forbes” and “Guardian”.
“Athletes must be paid”
This mountain of debts would be explained michael johnson: his new athletics by the imminent departure of a main investor who had remained in the shadows. “We have big problems with current payments,” recently admitted the organizer.
Sebastian Coe. president of the International Athletics Federation, also seized this case: “This gives a bad image of the great slam track. The Athletics Federation has always been fully committed to its members. This situation is not acceptable. Athletes must be paid. “
The fact that this new series of meetings, very trendy, already encounters big problems from the start is surprising. THE new competition formats were eagerly awaited in the world of athletics. We hoped that Grand Slam Track would restore the coat of arms of this aging sport. would attract a new young audience in front of the screens.
Michael Johnson: “We wanted too much, too fast”
But when the enthusiasm was not there. The stands have remained sparse. many stars, especially European, have failed, preferring to participate in the Diamond League or focus on their training. On the Swiss side, only the 100 -meter hedge specialist Dita Combundji took part in a meeting.
Michael Johnson and his partners had nevertheless promised Mirobal prices for athletes. Meeting winners in each race category were to receive a check for $ 100,000. By way of comparison, the winners of the Diamond League meetings receive between 30,000 and 50,000 dollars.
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What was presented as “revolutionary” and “legendary” is now faced with an uncertain future. Michael Johnson wishes to continue the series, despite the many problems and a reputation now heavy to wear. The 57 -year -old man would look for new donors to finance his long -term major project. He is convinced that the great slam track will still gain in an international dimension and in professionalism next year.
But one thing is clear, and Michael Johnson recently recognized it: “We wanted too much, too fast.”
Translated from German by Emmanuelle Stevan
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