SoccerVibes

Author: admin

  • Shericka Jackson Gets Candid on Being Second Fastest 200m Runner

    Shericka Jackson Gets Candid on Being Second Fastest 200m Runner

     

    Jamaican sprinter Shericka Jackson. i Jamaican sprinter Shericka Jackson.

    Jamaican sprint star Shericka Jackson expressed her feelings on running the second-fastest 200m time in history, just behind Florence Griffith-Joyner’s world record.

    Jamaican sprint sensation Shericka Jackson has opened up about her emotions and reflections after clocking the second fastest time ever in the women’s 200m, trailing only the legendary American Florence Griffith-Joyner, famously known as Flo Jo.

     

    The World Champion known for her poise and power on the track, shared her thoughts in a recent interview, beaming with pride over the milestone.

     

    Don’t miss today’s predictions from Bet of the Day (Check Out)

     

    Gor Mahia Sack Entire Technical Bench and Team Security Members After Nightmare Season

    Gor Mahia Sack Entire Technical Bench and Team Security Members After Nightmare Season

    “I feel good,” Jackson said with a smile, referring to the monumental achievement.

     

    “I saw a video where I expressed what I wanted to achieve, and just to see it, seeing that I’m achieving all of those one step at a time, I’m actually feeling really good.”

     

    Shericka Jackson From Goals to Glory

    Shericka Jackson

    Shericka Jackson Image source: Imago

    Shericka Jackson’s journey in the 200m has been one of remarkable progression, evolving from a 400m specialist to one of the fastest women in history over the half-lap distance.

     

    Her time of 21.41 seconds, recorded at the 2023 World Championships in Budapest, was not only a championship record but also a clear message that Flo Jo’s long-standing world record of 21.34 seconds is not unreachable.

     

    Despite the immense pressure that comes with being compared to icons of the sport, Jackson remains grounded.

     

    Her focus is not solely on chasing records, but on enjoying the process, improving with each race, and staying consistent in her performances.

     

    Government Reveals When Nyayo Stadium Will Be Handed Over With CHAN 2024 Four Weeks Away

    Government Reveals When Nyayo Stadium Will Be Handed Over With CHAN 2024 Four Weeks Away

     

    As the world turns its gaze to the upcoming Tokyo 2025 World Championhips, Jackson will be one of the key athletes to watch.

     

    With a gold medal already in her collection, fans and analysts alike are optimistic that she may challenge the world record in the right conditions.

     

    “I’m achieving everything I set out to do. Step by step,” she reaffirmed.

     

    For Shericka Jackson, it is about legacy, longevity, and the quiet confidence of a woman who knows exactly where she’s headed.

  • Kenyan athletes among the stellar line-up for Oregon Prefontaine Classic

    Kenyan athletes among the stellar line-up for Oregon Prefontaine Classic

     

     

    Kenyan athletes among the stellar line-up for Oregon Prefontaine Classic

    Kenya’s gold medalist Beatrice Chebet (L) and silver medalist Kipyegon Faith (R) compete during the Women’s 5000m – Final during Paris 2024 Olympic Games at Stade de France on August 5, 2024 in Paris, France. Mehmet Murat Onel / Anadolu (Photo by Mehmet Murat Onel / ANADOLU / Anadolu via AFP)

     

    Kenya’s road to the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo takes a decisive turn this Saturday in Eugene, Oregon, where the Prefontaine Classic will serve as the national trials for the women’s 5,000m and men’s 10,000m.

     

    Leading the women’s line-up is world 5,000m record holder Beatrice Chebet, who headlines a loaded field that includes world 10km road record holder Agnes Ng’etich, former African 10,000m champion Caroline Nyaga, Margaret Akidor, Maurine Jepkoech, Janeth Chepngetich, Sarah Wanjiru, Caroline Kariba, and Hellen Ekalale.

     

    After taking bronze in Budapest last year, adding to her silver from Eugene in 2022, Chebet is on a mission to complete the set with gold in Tokyo.

     

    “Eugene is about punching the World Championships ticket, that’s the main goal,” said her coach Peter Bii of Asics Iten.

     

    Unbeaten in the 5,000m this year, Chebet began her 2025 campaign with a commanding 14:27.12 win in Xiamen, followed by a world-leading 14:03.69 victory at the Rome Golden Gala.

     

    Ng’etich, meanwhile, has been one of the most consistent distance runners on both track and road. She set the 2025 women-only 10km world record in Herzogenaurach, Germany, and earlier broke the mixed 10km world record in Valencia last year, clocking 28:46. On Grand slam track this season, she was second in both the 3,000m (8:28.75) and 5,000m (14:49.80) at the Kingston Grand Slam, before winning the 5,000m in 14:25.80 at the Miami Slam and dominating the 3,000m in 8:43.61 at the Philadelphia Slam.

     

    Ng’etich’s recent form makes her a serious threat to Chebet, in what is expected to be one of the most competitive races of the meet.

     

    Notably absent is reigning world champion Faith Kipyegon, who is expected to receive a wild card to defend her 5,000m title. Fresh off her historic sub-4-minute mile attempt in Paris, Kipyegon is listed in the 1500m at Eugene.

     

    In the men’s 10,000m, Kenya will be led by 2022 world silver medallist Stanley Waithaka, former Diamond League trophy winner Nicholas Kipkorir, NCAA champion Ishmael Kipkurui Rokitto, and former World U20 champion Benson Kiplangat.

     

    Rokitto, fresh from representing the University of New Mexico, returns to Hayward Field—the same venue where he won the NCAA title last month in 29:07.70. Others in the field include Richard Etir, Mathew Kipsang, Matthew Kipkoech, Edwin Kurgat, Gideon Rono, Samwel Chebolei, and Vincent Langat.

     

    World silver medallist Daniel Ebenyo will be absent after officially requesting not to be included.

     

    “Ebenyo requested to be left out of the team to Oregon. That letter is in our files,” confirmed an Athletics Kenya official.

     

    The Kenyan men will face a stern test from Ethiopia’s Olympic champion Selemon Barega and Berihu Aregawi amongst others.

     

    Athletics Kenya rules indicate that the top two athletes in each race will automatically qualify for the World Championships in Tokyo, with the third slot left to the discretion of the Panel of Selectors.

     

     

  • Where does Wisconsin rank in way-too-early top 25 after final additions?

    Where does Wisconsin rank in way-too-early top 25 after final additions?

     

    The Badgers should enter the season as a Top 25 team. But, where will they be ranked?

     

    By Rohan Chakravarthi Jul 2,

    The Wisconsin Badgers are full steam ahead for the 2025-26 season after the commitment of Temple transfer forward Elijah Gray on Tuesday.

     

    Gray was the final addition to the roster, getting Wisconsin to 15 total players, with 14 on scholarship and Isaac Gard as the lone walk-on for 2025.

     

    Now, the Badgers have a good sense of what their rotation and team should look like entering the season, with roles becoming more defined when training camp begins in the fall.

     

    With Wisconsin’s roster fully finalized, where should they rank in a way-too-early Top 25 power rankings?

     

    ESPN revealed its latest update in its power rankings to account for late additions and subtractions, and the Badgers ended up at No. 20, the same spot as before.

     

    Wisconsin ranked as the No. 5 team in the Big Ten in the rankings, with Purdue (No. 1), Michigan (No. 8), UCLA (No. 15), and Illinois (No. 16) all ahead of the Badgers.

     

    Each of the five teams was active in the transfer portal, landing a notable starter to help them this season.

     

    Purdue went after South Dakota State center Oscar Cluff, who averaged 17.7 points per game last season. Michigan got projected first-round pick Yaxel Lendeborg to pair with Elliott Cadeau and Morez Johnson Jr. in the portal. UCLA landed New Mexico star point guard Donovan Dent.

     

    Illinois, on the other hand, went the overseas route, landing point guard Mihailo Petrovic to run the show. But, they also made notable additions with Cal transfer Andrej Stojakovic and Arkansas transfer Zvonimir .

     

    Wisconsin finished the cycle with five transfers. Guard Nick Boyd, wing Andrew Rohde, and forward Austin Rapp all project as starters. Guard Braeden Carrington and forward Elijah Gray should play meaningful roles off the bench.

     

    They complement a strong group of returnees headlined by John Blackwell, as well as four freshmen looking to make their mark early on the roster.

     

    Wisconsin looks much different than it did in 2024-25. But, they’ve reloaded and are ready to be a top-25 team once again.

  • Lewis Hamilton sends message to fans ahead of Ferrari British GP debut

    Lewis Hamilton sends message to fans ahead of Ferrari British GP debut

     

    Lewis Hamilton is going in search of a record-extending 10th win at Silverstone.

     

    Lewis Hamilton has credited “the love from the fans” to help him towards his record-breaking success at the British Grand Prix.

     

    The Ferrari driver took a record ninth victory at his home race last season, though he is still searching for his first win with his new team.

     

    Lewis Hamilton: Silverstone ‘more than just a race track’

    Additional reporting by Thomas Maher

     

    Hamilton heads into his home race off the back of a fourth-place finish last time out in Austria, one place behind team-mate Charles Leclerc.

     

    While the seven-time World Champion’s move to Maranello was confirmed before last year’s British Grand Prix, he was able to score one more victory at home for Mercedes in 2024, in an emotional moment as he returned to the top step of the podium.

     

    With the achievements he has managed around Silverstone over the years, he admitted the race brings with it memories of “unforgettable highs” in his career.

     

    “Yeah, absolutely,” Hamilton replied to media including PlanetF1.com when asked if he was looking forward to his home race for the first time with the Scuderia.

     

    “Still loving being at Ferrari and [looking forward to] going and seeing the British flag with some red caps there.”

     

    Having taken more victories around Silverstone than any other driver, his ninth win there coming in dramatic fashion in 2024, Hamilton knows more than most about what it takes to succeed at the British circuit.

     

    He attributes that success not just to the machinery he has driven, but the support he has received from his home crowd.

     

    “Silverstone has always been more than just a race track for me,” Hamilton said.

     

    “I’ve had some of the most unforgettable highs with the crowd right there behind me, but coming here with Ferrari for the first time is something really special.

     

    “I have so much history with this track, and for Ferrari to now be part of that story means a lot to me. I’m proud to wear red here, and I can’t wait to experience that incredible home crowd energy again.

     

    “There are a few sections that really stand out, but Copse into Maggotts and Becketts – that’s just something else. It’s so fast and, when you get it right, it feels like you’re flying.

     

    “But what makes Silverstone so special for me is the atmosphere. There’s a reason I’ve stood on the podium so many times here, and that’s the love from the fans.

     

    “From my first win in 2008, to my ninth last year, the crowd is always with me, and no matter where I am on the track, I can feel their energy from inside the cockpit.”

  • Three Kentucky Wildcats Earn Preseason All-SEC Nods from Athlon

    Three Kentucky Wildcats Earn Preseason All-SEC Nods from Athlon

    Slowly, but surely, we’re transitioning from the recruiting phase of the summer to Talking Season. In just two weeks, KSR will be in the middle of the mayhem at SEC Media Days in Atlanta. It’s hard to believe we’re that close. In case you needed another reminder, we have more preseason All-SEC teams from a college football preview

    Phil Steele had four Kentucky Wildcats on his preseason All-SEC team. Athlon Sports has three Wildcats among its

    Super senior offensive guard Josh Braun is a part of the All-SEC Third Team on Offense. There were two players tabbed to the Fourth Team Defense, linebacker Alex Afari and cornerback JQ Hardaway.

    Braun is no stranger to All-SEC selections. The Florida native began his career with the Gators. After three years in Gainesville, he transferred to Arkansas and was promptly named a Second Team All-SEC selection. He has played in 50 SEC games with 32 career starts.

    Get the On3 Top 10 to your inbox every morning

     Newsletter”, I agree to On3’s Privacy Notice, Terms, and use of my personal information described therein.

    Hardaway is entering his second season at Kentucky, and his third in college football after starting his career at Cincinnati. A rotational player last fall, the lengthy cornerback totaled 47 tackles (fifth on the team), four pass breakups, two interceptions, and a forced fumble. His best performance came when the Wildcats were shorthanded at Ole Miss. He filled in for the injured Maxwell Hairston and was exceptional against Tre Harris, tallying 11 career tackles and forcing the SEC’s top receiver to fumble in Kentucky territory.

    If Afari plays to an All-SEC level, it’s a great sign for the Kentucky defense. The Cincinnati native started his career at nickel before growing into a linebacker. He cut his teeth at the position last season, tallying ten tackles at Tennessee and against Louisville. Afari has 132 career tackles, 19.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, four quarterback hurries and two pass breakups in three seasons as a Wildcat. The Cats need Afari to blossom into an exceptional sideline-to-sideline tackler in the middle of the Kentucky defense.

    More Kentucky News and Views on the KSR YouTube Channel

    Kentucky Sports Radio has expanded its coverage of the Wildcats in the most ridiculous manner possible on our YouTube Channel. Here you will be able to find interviews with coaches and players, as well as commentary from the KSR crew. From Rapid Reactions following big events to our lengthy lineup of live shows, subscribe to the KSR YouTube Channel to stay up to date on everything happening around the Big Blue Nation.

  • Ole Miss Football Lands Pair of Highly-Touted Commitments Across 24-Hour Stretch

    Ole Miss Football Lands Pair of Highly-Touted Commitments Across 24-Hour Stretch

     

    In a stunning 24-hour recruiting surge, the Ole Miss Rebels football program has added two highly-touted commitments, signaling head coach Lane Kiffin’s relentless pursuit of elite talent. With momentum building ahead of the 2025 college football season, the Rebels have made a powerful statement to the SEC and the national scene — Ole Miss is not just competing; it’s ascending.

     

    The Rebels’ hot streak began with the commitment of four-star wide receiver Jaylen Simmons out of Houston, Texas. Ranked among the top 20 receivers in the 2025 recruiting class, Simmons brings elite speed, crisp route-running, and an explosive first step. Standing at 6-foot-1 and weighing 185 pounds, he turned heads during his junior season with over 1,200 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns. With offers from Alabama, Georgia, and Texas, Simmons’ decision to commit to Ole Miss speaks volumes about the vision Lane Kiffin has sold to top recruits.

     

    Just hours later, the Rebels doubled down on their momentum by landing defensive standout Malik Jefferson, a versatile linebacker from Buford, Georgia. A consensus top-100 player nationally, Jefferson is known for his sideline-to-sideline speed, high football IQ, and relentless motor.

    He recorded 110 tackles, 6 sacks, and 3 interceptions last season and has been praised for his leadership qualities both on and off the field. Jefferson had narrowed his final choices to Ole Miss, Clemson, and Florida State before committing to the Rebels, citing the staff’s transparency, defensive scheme fit, and the family atmosphere in Oxford.

     

    For Coach Kiffin and his staff, this 24-hour haul represents more than just individual talent. It underscores the strategic and persistent efforts Ole Miss has made in developing relationships with high school programs, families, and players. The Rebels are increasingly seen not just as an entertaining offensive powerhouse but as a balanced and competitive destination for both offensive and defensive standouts.

     

    Kiffin’s charisma, combined with a forward-thinking approach to recruiting — especially in the NIL era — has transformed the way Ole Miss is viewed by top-tier talent. The program has invested in facilities, embraced player branding opportunities, and modernized its culture to appeal to the next generation of athletes. These back-to-back commitments demonstrate that those efforts are paying dividends.

     

    The timing couldn’t be better. As the SEC prepares for another seismic season with powerhouse clashes and playoff implications, the Rebels are positioning themselves not only for short-term success but also for long-term sustainability. Bringing in a wide receiver who can stretch the field and a linebacker who can command the defense forms a core that any championship-caliber team needs.

     

    Fans in Oxford are buzzing, and rightly so. The commitments of Simmons and Jefferson have sparked excitement throughout the fan base and added valuable pieces to an already impressive 2025 recruiting class. With more visits scheduled and several targets still considering Ole Miss, the Rebels may not be done yet.

     

    If the last 24 hours are any indication, Ole Miss is well on its way to becoming a recruiting force in the SEC. And under Lane Kiffin’s direction, the future in Oxford looks brighter than ever.

     

     

     

     

     

  • Arch Manning: 1 trait kept star QB at Texas amid flurry of transfers

    Arch Manning: 1 trait kept star QB at Texas amid flurry of transfers

    David Eckert, Austin American-Statesman

    Arch Manning is still standing in the pocket, letting the play develop in front of him.

    That’s not the trend among elite college football quarterback recruits these days. Manning’s blue chip peers tend to check their first read, then bolt from the school where they began their careers to scramble right into the transfer portal.

    Among the top five quarterback prospects in the 2023 recruiting class, according to the 247Sports’ composite rankings, Manning is the only one still rostered at the institution he signed with out of high school.

    Nico Iamaleava departed Tennessee for UCLA this spring after a public dispute played out over his NIL compensation.

    Dante Moore left UCLA for Oregon following the 2024 season. Jackson Arnold fled Oklahoma for Auburn this winter on the heels of an ugly redshirt freshman campaign with the Sooners. And Malachi Nelson is currently at UTEP — his third collegiate stop after USC and Boise State.

    From 2020-23, 17 quarterbacks received five-star prospect status from the 247Sports composite. Eleven of them have transferred.

    Why has Manning stayed put?

    “I think Arch is a patient kid and looks at the big picture,” his dad, Cooper Manning, told the American-Statesman on Friday.

    “He’s a happy college student at the University of Texas. So, I think that’s — when he was looking at where to go to school, it was ‘Where am I going to be happy? Where am I going to make great friends? Where am I going to enjoy being when football is not necessarily everything?’ I think that’s had a big impact on his patience level.”

    Arch Manning is forging new friendships at Texas

    Manning’s interview sessions tend to skip the Xs and Os. Instead, they sometimes develop into discussions of the relationships Cooper encouraged his son to value when choosing where to spend his college years.

    Meeting the press for roughly 20 minutes at the Manning Passing Academy over the weekend, Manning highlighted his friendship with UT wide receiver Ryan Wingo, who invited Manning to one of his camps back home in St. Louis this summer.

    “I knew he would do the same for me,” Manning said.

    Then came a question about Trevor Goosby, the favorite to protect Manning’s blind side at left tackle in 2025, replacing first-round NFL draft choice Kelvin Banks Jr.

    Manning and Goosby played basketball together this offseason, the quarterback revealed. Goosby also is doing some recruiting legwork for new Texas men’s basketball coach Sean Miller. Goosby’s younger brother, Austin, is one of the top 40 players in the Class of 2026 and holds an offer from the Longhorns.

    “We’re trying to get him to Texas,” Manning said.

    Arch Manning preparing to lead Texas football offense

    In 233 snaps last season, Manning flashed the tools that make him the betting favorite to hear his name called first overall in next spring’s draft.

    In his time in front of the microphone this offseason, Manning has shown glimpses of charisma and a feel that could help him win over a Texas locker room that is now his to command.

    He acknowledged in April that it was likely “pretty annoying” for Quinn Ewers to have to cope with having Manning — and the media circus that accompanies him — as a backup. Last week, he drew laughs with a few light jabs at his grandfather, Archie, and his age.

    He spun a tale of his venture to Walmart with LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier and admitted that the Raising Cane’s, McDonald’s and crab legs he chowed down on while visiting Louisiana haven’t been great for his diet.

    There might not be a more famous college football player in the country. Still, Manning doesn’t mind sharing a bit of himself with the public.

    “That’s an adjustment, knowing that a lot of eyes are on you, and he knows that he’s representing his university and his teammates and his family, and so that’s always been pretty easy for him,” Cooper said.

    “Keep trying to be a good guy, that comes naturally for him. It’s an adjustment anytime people want to take pictures with you all the time. It’s just part of the deal. So you just do the best you can to surround yourself with good folks who keep you grounded and good friends that you know are there for you no matter what.”

    But, even off the field, Manning is still learning.

    This spring, Texas coach Steve Sarkisian challenged him to assert himself more as a leader.

    “He doesn’t have to wait,” Sarkisian said.

    Between the white lines, too, Manning receives reminders that help him stave off any sense of satisfaction that he’s arrived.

    “Whenever I think I got a handle on something, the next day I throw three picks,” Manning said, laughing. “I like to kind of stay right in the middle.”

     

  • Usain Bolt explains why Noah Lyles and Kishane Thompson would have stood no chance at 2012 Olympic Game

    Usain Bolt explains why Noah Lyles and Kishane Thompson would have stood no chance at 2012 Olympic Game

     

    Usain Bolt has emphatically shut down suggestions that last year’s Olympic 100 metres final was superior to the 2012 edition which featured names such as Yohan Blake, Tyson Gay and Justin Gatlin.

     

    Last summer, at a capacity Stade de France, Noah Lyles won the 100m title by five-thousandths of a second as he defeated Jamaica’s Kishane Thompson in one of the most dramatic races in Olympic history.

     

    It was soon described as the greatest race in history as all eight men finished within 0.12 seconds of the gold medal.

     

     

     

    But on an episode of the Ready Set Go podcast, Bolt argued that the 2012 final in London was better as he joined former sprinter Rodney Green and fellow Olympic gold medallist Justin Gatlin to discuss the ‘then and now’ of sprinting.

     

    Speaking on the episode, Bolt began the discussion by asking: “Do you guys really think the last 100m was the best one? I’m curious, do you really think so after what we performed in 2012?”

     

    Gatlin, who won bronze in 2012 after losing out to Yohan Blake and Bolt, also gave his take on the debate.

     

    “The line up in that race was unheard of. When you look at any other sport and the greatest of those sports NBA, NFL – they’re in generations. [Michael] Jordan didn’t play with LeBron [James] and Kobe [Bryant] played some with LeBron,” he said.

     

     

     

    “But the fact of our line up is we were all in the same generation and we lined up at the same time.

     

    “That was the most epic race when it came to legacy. Time wise, I can understand where you’re coming from when it comes to numbers but you won’t ever replicate that race ever again in life. The top five men in history were in that race.”

     

    Bolt soon brought up the current crop of sprinters, and suggested they wouldn’t have been able to complete with five-time Olympic medallist Gatlin, who once recorded a 100m time of 9.74 seconds – the fifth-fastest in history.

     

    “Nobody in that race (2024 final) would have gotten a medal (in the 2012 final),” said Bolt. “Justin, they wouldn’t have caught you, they’d have been chasing tails.”

     

     

     

    Gatlin agreed, saying: “If I’d have lined up with them at that period of time, I would have won that.”

     

    Bolt wins the 100m final in London. Image credit: Getty

    Bolt wins the 100m final in London. Image credit: Getty

    Reflecting on the 2012 race, Bolt added: “In 2012, I was right beside him (Gatlin) when the gun went, he was one step ahead of me and I was like, how is this even possible.

     

    “It’s a good thing I’m mentally tough because if you’re not mentally tough, you see that your vibe is broken immediately.”

     

    Usain Bolt snubbed Gout Gout and Noah Lyles when naming the man he thinks can beat his 100m world record

    In an interview on The Fix Podcast in February, Bolt named his compatriot Oblique Seville as the man that could finally smash the 9.58 barrier.

     

     

     

    Seville competed in the men’s 100m event in Paris and won his semi-final, running a time of 9.81 to finish ahead of Lyles, but during the final, he suffered a flare-up of a previous groin injury.

     

    That restricted him to running 9.91, meaning he finished in eighth place out of eight runners.

     

    Bolt still feels he can make history, though. “I feel like Oblique can do it [break my record],” he said. “If he can stay fit during the season and get it right, I feel he can do it. Because I am sure there is something there, the ability to do it.

     

    “Some of the time Oblique can be fragile. It’s a matter of the work situation or whatever, but if he’s doing enough work, he can do it. It’s a matter of time because he’s not missed the finals yet, so it’s just to get over the hump.”

     

     

     

    Hypothetically speaking, Bolt believes the current crop of sprinters wouldn’t have stood a chance in the 2012 final. Do you agree? Let us know in the comments.

     

     

  • Emmanuel Wanyonyi, Gabby Thomas Left Waiting as Michael Johnson Races to Settle Unpaid Millions

    Emmanuel Wanyonyi, Gabby Thomas Left Waiting as Michael Johnson Races to Settle Unpaid Millions

    Michael Johnson has insisted that payments to Gabby Thomas, Emmanuel Wanyonyi, and others are coming soon, but the growing doubts have left athletes anxious.

    Several top track and field athletes, including Olympic champion Emmanuel Wanyonyi, triple Olympic champion Gabby Thomas and 400m hurdles world record holder Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, are still owed millions in appearance fees and prize money from Michael Johnson’s Grand Slam Track (GST) series.

    As reported last month, Michael Johnson, the four-time Olympic champion, cancelled the final Grand Slam Track event in Los Angeles, scheduled for June 27 to 29, due to economic challenges.

    Michael Johnson held an emergency meeting with athletes to inform them of the cancellation. Johnson held three legs of the Grand Slam Track, starting with the debut in Kingston, Jamaica. The second leg was held in Miami before the next event, which was staged in Philadelphia.

    Kishane Thompson: Why Jamaican Sprinter is Unimpressed Despite Clocking Fastest Time Since 2015

    As reported by The Times, senior figures in the sport have revealed that Olympic and world champions, along with their agents, are pursuing outstanding payments from the first meet in Kingston, Jamaica, in early April.

    Some have expressed their concerns directly to World Athletics, with other athletes like Emmanuel Wanyonyi conducting interviews and airing out their grievances.

    Michael Johnson’s independent series, initially positioned as a rival to the Diamond League, boasted a total prize fund of $12.6 million (£9.2 million).

    Keely Hodgkinson on How Faith Kipyegon’s Sub 4-Minute Mile Attempt Will Redefine Middle-Distance Racing

    Top athletes were promised appearance fees of up to $200,000, with potential prize money reaching $100,000 per round. However, the final event was cancelled due to poor ticket sales for the first three meets and concerns over insufficient broadcast and sponsorship revenue.

    While prize money is typically withheld until drug test results are processed, athletes expected their appearance fees sooner. Diamond League results are usually processed within two to three weeks.

    However, as things stand, many athletes and their representatives are still awaiting payments from the Kingston, Miami, and Philadelphia meets.

    The Association of Athletics Managers wrote to GST and held a Zoom call with Johnson last week to address the issue. One source reported that Johnson could not provide specific payment dates.

    He apparently hopes to secure new sponsors and relaunch the series in 2026. On Tuesday, Grand Slam Track emailed athlete representatives, attempting to reassure them about payment.

    “Our plan is to make payments for Kingston prize money before the end of July and the remaining payments due by the end of September, which includes the honouring of Los Angeles appearance fees,” Grand Slam Track executive Kyle Merber stated.

    ‘They Don't Understand What We Go Through!’ - Kishane Thompson Defends Oblique Seville’s Recent Struggles
    Reports last week indicated GST staff layoffs, and the vague nature of the recent communication continues to worry athletes and agents.

    One leading agent commented, “It’s still a bit vague. If they have the money, why can’t they pay it now? For some of these athletes, we are talking a lot of money; hundreds of thousands of pounds. We just hope it comes through as promised, eventually.”

    As uncertainty looms over delayed payments, top athletes and their agents continue to press for transparency and action, with trust in Michael Johnson’s Grand Slam Track series now hanging in the balance.

    Whether promised funds materialise in the coming months could determine not only the future of the GST project but also Michael Johnson’s credibility within the sport.

  • Georgia lands commitment of 4-star DL Preston Carey

    Georgia lands commitment of 4-star DL Preston Carey

     

    Georgia continues its run on the recruiting trail with the commitment of East Northport four-star defensive lineman Preston Carey.

     

    Carey is Georgia’s 26th commit in the class of 2026. Georgia has landed nine pledges in the last week. Carey is the second defensive lineman to commit to Georgia on Monday.

     

    The Bulldogs add Carey to a group of five pledges joining four-stars James Johnson, Carter Luckie, three-star Corey Howard, and also junior college transfer Seven Cloud.

     

    Carey chose Georgia over Florida, Auburn and Rutgers. The Bulldogs hosted Carey on an official visit back on May 16. The Bulldogs made an impression over the weekend.

     

    Get the On3 Top 10 to your inbox every morning

     

    By clicking “Subscribe to Newsletter”, I agree to On3’s Privacy Notice, Terms, and use of my personal information described therein.

     

    Carey was impressed with Georgia’s development and relationships.

     

    “It was great,” Carey told DawgsHQ back on May 20. “I love the program and culture Georgia has built. It helped me a lot. I got to spend a lot of time with the players and everyone at Georgia, and they all love the culture, and everyone has the same desire to be elite.”

     

    Carey is also impressed by Georgia’s NFL pedigree.

     

    “Georgia is the best school in the country over the past five years at producing first-round talent at defensive line, and that is a fact, and that stood out,” Carey said.