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≡ TURMOIL ≡
In a Friday statement, USA Track & Field confirmed the implosion of the last of its nationally-televised invitational outdoor meets in 2025:
“USA Track & Field is disappointed to learn of the cancellation of the 2025 New York Grand Prix, originally scheduled for June 21. While USATF does not organize this event, we understand the impact this change may have on athletes seeking critical opportunities to compete, earn prize money, and gain world-ranking points.
“Our domestic calendar is strategically designed with depth and flexibility, ensuring that elite athletes have consistent, high-quality, competitive platforms throughout the season. USATF remains committed to supporting elite athletes by actively securing viable alternatives and will continue working with our partners to maximize opportunities across the US track and field landscape.”
The NYC Grand Prix has a considerable history, held from 2005-15 and was part of the IAAF Diamond League from 2010-15. It was resurrected in 2022 and held in 2023 and 2024, all televised nationally by NBC.
The Los Angeles Grand Prix, held in 2023 and 2024 and televised on NBC, was canceled without comment during the week of 1 April, and the Bermuda Grand Prix – held in 2022-23-24 – lost the sponsorship of the Bermuda Tourism Authority in January and was also not held in 2025.
The USATF Distance Classic, a fixture for years in the Los Angeles area and held in 2023 and 2024 as the first day of the L.A. Grand Prix, was not replaced, but the federation associated itself with Sound Running’s Track Fest, held this weekend (24th) at Occidental College.
The only other USATF non-championship outdoor event in 2025 is the USATF Throws Festival in Tucson, Arizona, also held on Saturday (24th), but not televised.
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The cancellation of all three Grand Prix events for 2025 is a loss for athletes and for fans – in person and on television – but has side benefits for USA Track & Field.
In continuing financial difficulties, the federation’s financial statements showed net assets of just $548,002 at the end of 2022 and –$4.934 million at the end of 2023. In 2023, a significant $4.003 million was shown as “Grants and support payments” for Elite Athlete Competitions, and USATF was listed first in the “Partners and Sponsors” section of the 2024 NYC Grand Prix Web site (which was up as of Saturday).
So, a possible significant savings.
USATF showed revenues of $35.54 million in 2022 and $36.71 million in 2023, but look for a major increase in 2025, as it has taken over Paralympic track & field and will receive a subsidy from the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee of $3.7 million.
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Grand Slam Track announced its line-ups for its third meet, at Franklin Field in Philadelphia on 31 May and 1 June. In addition to seven injured athletes who won’t run – including 100 m hurdles American Record-setter Masai Russell – the circuit stated “Grand Slam Track signed Racer Fred Kerley is suspended pending the completion of legal proceedings and will not compete in Philadelphia.”
Kerley faces issues from a 2024 domestic violence arrest in Miami, a January 2025 altercation with police, and an arrest for misdemeanor battery against hurdler and ex-girlfriend Alaysha Johnson in Dania Beach on 1 May, before the Miramar Slam.
The Philadelphia line-ups show 40 Racers and 56 Challengers among the 12 events groups (U.S. unless noted):
Men/Short Sprints:
● Racers: Kenny Bednarek, Zharnel Hughes (GBR)
● Challengers: Andre De Grasse (CAN), Christian Miller, Christian Coleman, Bryan Levell (JAM), Udodi Onwuzurike (NGR), Aaron Brown (CAN)
Men/Long Sprints:
● Racers: Matthew Hudson-Smith (GBR), Muzala Samukonga (ZAM), Steven Gardiner (BAH), Jereem Richards (TTO)
● Challengers: Jevaughn Powell (JAM), Alexander Ogando (DOM), Khaleb McRae, Matthew Boling
Men/Short Distance:
● Racers: Cole Hocker, Josh Kerr (GBR), Yared Nuguse, Marco Arop (CAN)
● Challengers: Hobbs Kessler, Josh Hoey, Elliot Giles (GBR), Samuel Chapple (NED)
Men/Long Distance:
● Racers: Grant Fisher, Ronald Kwemoi (KEN), Hagos Gebrhiwet (ETH)
● Challengers: Graham Blanks, Nico Young, Ky Robinson (AUS), Edwin Kurgat (KEN), Andrew Coscoran (IR).
Men/Short Hurdles:
● Racers: Freddie Crittenden, Sasha Zhoya (FRA), Daniel Roberts
● Challengers: Trey Cunningham, Jakub Szymański (POL), Lorenzo Simonelli (ITA), Cordell Tinch, Jamal Britt
Men/Long Hurdles:
● Racers: Alison dos Santos (BRA), Clement Ducos (FRA), Caleb Dean
● Challengers: Trevor Bassitt, Chris Robinson, CJ Allen, Assinie Wilson (JAM), Gerald Drummond (CRC)
Women/Short Sprints:
● Racers: Gabby Thomas, Brittany Brown, Daryll Neita (GBR), Melissa Jefferson-Wooden
● Challengers: Tamari Davis, Thelma Davies (LBR), Dina Asher-Smith (GBR), Jadyn Mays
Women/Long Sprints:
● Racers: Nickisha Pryce (JAM), Alexis Holmes, Marileidy Paulino (DOM), Salwa Eid Naser (BRN)
● Challengers: Isabella Whittaker, Laviai Nielsen (GBR), Jessika Gbai (CIV), Sharlene Mawdsley (IRL)
Women/Short Distance:
● Racers: Jess Hull (AUS), Nikki Hiltz, Diribe Welteji (ETH), Mary Moraa (KEN)
● Challengers: Georgia Hunter Bell (GBR), Nia Akins, Abbey Caldwell (AUS), Addy Wiley
Women/Long Distance:
● Racers: Nozomi Tanaka (JPN), Tsige Gebreselama (ETH), Agnes Ngetich (KEN), Elise Cranny
● Challengers: Ejgayehu Taye (ETH), Weini Kelati, Medina Eisa (ETH), Josette Andrews
Women/Short Hurdles:
● Racers: Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, Ackera Nugent (JAM)
● Challengers: Danielle Williams (JAM), Ditaji Kambundji (SUI), Tia Jones, Christina Clemons, Tonea Marshall, Megan Tapper (JAM)
Women/Long Hurdles:
● Racers: Shamier Little, Rushell Clayton (JAM), Jasmine Jones
● Challengers: Lina Nielsen (GBR), Dalilah Muhammad, Ayomide Folorunso (ITA), Anna Cockrell, Andrenette Knight (JAM)
Of special note is McLaughlon-Levrone moving from the long hurdles to the short, and will run a competitive 100 m since 2018!
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