Michael Johnson confirms payments made to athletes after GST bankruptcy
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Aug 8, 2026, 12:48 PM
Last updated Aug 8, 2026
Four-time Olympic champion Michael Johnson announced that athletes from Grand Slam Track (GST) have now been paid following the company's bankruptcy. The organization, which promised significant prize money, faced financial difficulties that led to its collapse in December 2025. Johnson clarified that amidst accusations of improper payments to himself, he had actually incurred personal expenses to support the athletes and took on debt to ensure their financial obligations were met. He emphasized his commitment to the athletes and detailed the challenges faced during GST's operational struggles.
- •GST owed significant amounts to top athletes, including Josh Kerr and Matthew Hudson-Smith.
- •Johnson loaned GST $2 million and forwent his salary to pay athletes.
- •Several creditors filed legal claims against Johnson regarding payments made before bankruptcy.
- •GST filed for bankruptcy in December 2025, with debts exceeding $30 million.
- 1:30 PMYahoo Sports — Johnson reveals 'stress' of Grand Slam Track collapse, clarifies payment
- 12:48 PMYahoo Sports — Athletes from GST have now been paid - Johnson
- 12:48 PMBBC Sport — Athletes from bankrupt track league have now been paid - Johnson
"Michael Johnson said he had "nights where I didn't sleep" during the collapse of his Grand Slam Track (GST) athletics circuit as he insisted a payment made to him just days before its season was cut short had been entirely legitimate.GST filed for bankruptcy protection in December but a legal filing by GST's creditors in March accused Johnson of "secretly" paying himself $500,000 (£370,598) days before the season collapsed.
"Four-time Olympic champion Michael Johnson speaks publicly for the first time since Grand Slam Track went bankrupt, and clarifies details of payments to himself and athletes.
"Four-time Olympic champion Michael Johnson speaks publicly for the first time since Grand Slam Track went bankrupt, and clarifies details of payments to himself and athletes.
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsAug 8, 2026, 1:30 PMJohnson reveals 'stress' of Grand Slam Track collapse, clarifies payment
Michael Johnson said he had "nights where I didn't sleep" during the collapse of his Grand Slam Track (GST) athletics circuit as he insisted a payment made to him just days before its season was cut short had been entirely legitimate.GST filed for bankruptcy protection in December but a legal filing by GST's creditors in March accused Johnson of "secretly" paying himself $500,000 (£370,598) days before the season collapsed.
- Yahoo SportsAug 8, 2026, 12:48 PMAthletes from GST have now been paid - Johnson
Four-time Olympic champion Michael Johnson speaks publicly for the first time since Grand Slam Track went bankrupt, and clarifies details of payments to himself and athletes.
- BBC SportAug 8, 2026, 12:48 PMAthletes from bankrupt track league have now been paid - Johnson
Four-time Olympic champion Michael Johnson speaks publicly for the first time since Grand Slam Track went bankrupt, and clarifies details of payments to himself and athletes.
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