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The former world record holder has offered his insights into the demands made by Sifan Hassan of needing a lot of money before she signs up for the Grand Slam Track event.
American sprint legend Michael Johnson has responded to Sifan Hassan’s big demands if she was to sign up for his Grand Slam Track that begins in Kingston, Jamaica next month.
Hassan is among big-name athletes who will not be at the inaugural track meet that has set aside $100,000 for winners of each race per leg in Kingston, Miami, Philadelphia and Los Angeles.
The Olympics marathon champion is instead preparing for the London Marathon set for next month but she said in January that to change her programme, and run for shorter distances, Johnson would have to break the bank to lure her.
“It is great but if you talk to them and they give me very good money, then it’s okay, no problem,” she said in an interview with CITIUS Mag.
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21:59 - 11.03.2025
Benni McCarthy: CAF president Patrice Motsepe ramps up pressure on Harambee Stars coach
CAF president Patrice Motsepe has set high expectations for his fellow South African Benni McCarthy who was recently appointed Harambee Stars coach.
“As long as they pay very well, you know, because I have to go to the US and I have to run the 800m you know, come on I haven’t raced the 800m for a long time, so I have to jump from the marathon.
“So, I need really, really good prize money to train my brain. I would do the 3,000m and 5,000m but it’s not interesting so it’s all four or nothing.”
Now, Johnson has responded, explaining his willingness to welcome Hassan to the fold. Hassan said she could even run four races at Grand Slam Track if the offer was good, an idea that intrigues Johnson, although he does not seem to have a budget for her big-money demands.
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“Who is not open to the idea. She is somebody I want in Grand Slam Track. She is one of my favourite athletes because she represents everything that we are about,” Johnson told CITIUS Mag.
“She loves to race, she is not afraid to put herself out there, she loves a challenge. We would let her do what she wants to do but she wants to do it all, so she did make her requirements very clear though.
“Unfortunately, our challengers took $2,000 for appearance fees and you are there for the prize money if you are a challenger but we will see. I think she is intrigued enough with what we are doing and we are certainly intrigued with her,” added Johson, a four-time Olympics champion.
It appears that Hassan might have to wait longer to feature at Grand Slam Track as the money on offer, considered substantial by many, still falls way below her expectations.
Hassan is, however, not short of events as besides the London Marathon, she will also be at the 2025 World Championships where she will likely participate in multiple events, just like was the case at the Paris 2024 Olympics, when she ran three races just days apart.
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17:34 - 11.03.2025
Benni McCarthy hands lifeline to forgotten defender with Harambee Stars recall
Harambee Stars coach Benni McCarthy has recalled one forgotten deender who has been out of the team since 2021.
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