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The final leg of Grand Slam Track – the athletics competition backed by Olympic great Michael Johnson – has been cancelled because of economic concerns.
The fourth event in the inaugural GST season was set to take place in Los Angeles from 27-29 June.
But Johnson said on Thursday that organisers will instead concentrate on next season’s programme.
“The global economic landscape has shifted dramatically in the past year, and this business decision has been made to ensure our long-term stability as the world’s premier track league,” said the GST founder and commissioner. “Our attention is now on 2026.”
The GST season began in the Jamaican capital of Kingston – which had low ticket sales throughout – and was followed by events in the US cities of Miami and Philadelphia.
Although the final leg at Drake Stadium will not go ahead, organisers consider the three meetings that took place a success. It is understood they are set to announce new investors to help fund GST’s second season.
Johnson, 57, said the decision “is not taken lightly, but one rooted in a belief that we have successfully achieved the objectives we set out to in this pilot season”.
The four-time Olympic champion added: “We launched with a bold vision to reimagine professional track racing and we could not be more excited about what we have accomplished so far.
“As we’ve said all along, we were going to have learnings, make adjustments, and continue to improve.
“Sometimes we have to make moves that aren’t comfortable, but what’s most important is the future and sustainability of the league.”
The competition featured a host of well-known athletes, including British Olympic sprinters Daryll Neita and Matthew Hudson-Smith, and 1500m world champion Josh Kerr.
Male and female competitors are subdivided into six categories – each containing eight athletes – such as Short Sprints, with the eight featuring in that group competing in the 100m and 200m each weekend.
It offered significant financial incentives, with up to $100,000 (£73,600) on offer for the winners of race categories, as well as salaries for contracted athletes.
