Grand Slam Is F1 Of Athletics: Johnson

Creator wants to bring sport into limelight by focusing on head-to-head competitions

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KINGSTON - Four-time Olympic gold medallist Michael Johnson believes his Grand Slam Track can be the "Formula One of athlete racing", as the novel circuit that puts rivalries at the forefront kicks off in Kingston, Jamaica, from April 4.

The four-event start-up comes amid longstanding concern over athletics' popularity outside of the Olympics.

Track and field is a regular attraction in Europe but struggles to compete against the "Big Four" of North American professional sport — the National Football League, the National Basketball Association, Major League Baseball and the National Hockey League.

Johnson, a larger-than-life figure who also won eight World Championship gold medals during his career, told Reuters that it was time to take the burden off the athletes to bring track into the limelight.

"The athletes themselves have been criticised a lot over the years for the sport not being more popular. And my position has always been: the athletes are doing their job," said the American, who will also host meets in Miami, Philadelphia and Los Angeles.