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≡ GRAND SLAM TRACK ≡
Double Olympic distance bronze medalist Grant Fisher has had a productive 2025 so far, setting indoor world records at 3,000 m and 5,000 m and then starring in the Grand Slam Track meets in Kingston, Jamaica and Miramar, Florida.
But like so many others, he has not received prize money for either Kingston or Miramar, and he spoke about the situation in detail on Wednesday, prior to the start of the USA Track & Field national championships in Eugene on Thursday:
● “The last update I heard was that by the end of July they wanted Kingston prize money out. It has not hit my bank account or anyone else’s as far as I know. So fingers crossed, but tomorrow would be the last day before I think people get pretty upset.”
● “You know, the Grand Slam, I think there were some fantastic ideas. Maybe execution was a little off. I think it would be in everyone’s best interest, whether you are in Grand Slam or support Grand Slam, or don’t, if they pay the athletes out.
“The thing is if if the money doesn’t come through, then no athlete is ever going to want to take a chance on a new idea. No investor is going to want to take a chance on a new idea. It’s just going to be an all-round bad thing for the sport if things don’t come through. So my fingers are crossed.; I hope it all works.
“If it drags out a bit longer, I think a lot of people will be up in arms and we’ll see how that concludes. I ideally at this point in the season I’d just be focusing on running and not all that stuff, but I think it might come to a head pretty soon.”
● “If they aren’t able to pay out the debts that they have for this past year, I don’t think it will exist for next year.
“And even if it did somehow exist and they’re still in debt to athletes, no new athlete is going to sign on for the following year. So it’s kind of a wait-and-see situation. I think I was, I was only on a one-year contract, so I was only going to Grand Slam for 2025 … For 2026, I’ll think about that when-and-if the money hits my bank account.”
Fisher said that he’s spoken with other Grand Slam Track athletes, who were paid their contracted appearance fees for the Kingston meet, but not the prize money:
“The the original dialogue was that after everyone’s drug test cleared, the money would come through. After the Philadelphia Grand Slam and after the L.A. Slam was canceled, we were told, the end of July. So that’s the latest information we have and I think for most people within the organization, that’s the latest information they have. And that’s tomorrow. So we’ll see, yeah, I guess; talk to people in August 1st and see what the update is.”
He said that he was glad that he participated in the Grand Slam Track venture, despite being owed $100,000:
“I think, looking back, I am. You know, with the information I had at the time, it was a really good idea and I think it still has really good potential. I really want things to work. I don’t want it to come to a lawsuit and, you know, a big headache and Grand Slam being crushed and then you know everyone saying, ‘I told you so.’
“I don’t really want [that]; I don’t think that’s a good outcome for anybody. So, I still have my fingers crossed, you know, tomorrow I’m focused on racing. I won’t be checking my bank account to see if money came in. But after the weekend, I’m sure there’ll be plenty of discussion.”
In the meantime, Fisher is running the men’s 10,000 m on Thursday evening and then coming back for the 5,000 m on Sunday.
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