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Rai Benjamin has backed Tara Davis-Woodhall on her ongoing feud with Michael Johnson amid concerns over field events missing at Grand Slam Track.
Olympic hurdling star Rai Benjamin has thrown his support behind Hunter Woodhall and Tara Davis-Woodhall, expressing disappointment with Michael Johnson’s decision to omit field events from his upcoming Grand Slam Track series.
The innovative track-only competition, set to debut in 2024, promises substantial cash rewards but has sparked controversy for sidelining field athletes.
Michael Johnson, a U.S. sprint legend, is the mastermind behind Grand Slam Track, which will host events in Kingston, Miami, Philadelphia, and Los Angeles. With a $100,000 prize per discipline, the event exclusively features track races, ranging from short sprints to long-distance events.
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11:57 - 29.11.2024
'The sport does not need you'- Tara Davis-Woodhall, husband Hunter Woodhall slam Michael Johnson following controversial comment
A furious Tara Davis-Woodhall and her husband Hunter Woodhall have blasted Michael Johnson over his comments on why he snubbed field events in his Grand Slam Track League.
Notably absent are field events, such as jumping and throwing disciplines, a decision Johnson has justified as a pragmatic one.
“Field events take long hours to conclude and would not be ideal for TV coverage,” Johnson explained in an interview with BBC Sport. “At global competitions like the Olympics or World Championships, having both works. But outside of those, it’s not feasible. Grand Slam Track is about saving track, which I believe I can do.”
Hunter Woodhall and Tara Davis-Woodhall, field athletes with significant followings, have been vocal critics of Johnson’s vision. Tara Davis-Woodhall, an accomplished long jumper, shared her frustration in a video posted on social media last November.
08:12 - 02.01.2025
‘I love track AND field’ - Michael Johnson seeks to end feud with Tara Davis-Woodhall over controversial comment
The American sprint legend has sought to end his beef with Olympics long jump champion Tara Davis-Woodhall after addressing concerns over field events missing at Grand Slam Track.
“It’s called track and field for a reason,” she said. “Field events have a huge impact on the sport, and we don’t need your saving. You’re ruining it. If you wanted to make changes, you should have done it during your time, not now when the sport is thriving without you.”
Her husband, Hunter Woodhall, echoed similar sentiments, questioning Johnson’s commitment to the broader athletic community.
Joining the debate, Rai Benjamin, a double Olympic medalist and co-host of the Beyond the Records podcast with Noah Lyles, voiced his agreement with the Woodhalls. He criticized the decision to exclude field events as detrimental to the sport’s growth and community.
“It’s like gatekeeping, man, and I feel like that’s our issue right now with track,” Benjamin said. “We need fresh ideas and unorthodox thinkers like Tara and Hunter. It’s frustrating to see the new era of track and field taking away field events. Are they even doing the research? Tara and Hunter have massive followings, and sidelining athletes like them is a huge loss.”
Benjamin emphasized the importance of embracing all aspects of the sport, suggesting that excluding field athletes undermines the very fabric of track and field.
Facing backlash, Michael Johnson took to X (formerly Twitter) to clarify his intentions. While standing firm on the current track-only format, he acknowledged the value of field athletes and hinted at potential collaborations in the future.
“I love track AND field! My mission is to elevate the sport. There are amazing field athletes with great stories,” Johnson wrote. “If someone wants to take on a similar challenge for field events, I’d be happy to share our learnings and introduce them to investors.”
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