Big-money events get green light from race ace Amber

BRITISH Olympic medallist Amber Anning is convinced the recent influx of big-money track competitions is exactly what her sport needs.

- RACHEL STEINBERG

Reddit founder Alexis Ohanian last week announced his lucrative women’s-only meet, Athlos, would be returning for a second edition in October, while Michael Johnson's Grand Slam Track, set to award over £9.2 million in prize money, premieres next month.

Sprinter Anning, who won Olympic bronze medals with the mixed and women’s 4x400 metres relay teams in Paris, welcomes the innovative formats.

“I love it. It’s been a long time coming,” she said. “I’m quite surprised it’s happening now, but I’m glad it’s better late than never. It’s exciting. Track needs a little bit more competitiveness and something a bit out of the ordinary. I just think it helps elevate the sport, helps get more eyes on it, gets people more involved.