Track of the Grand Slam: “Love to See Tow More Spectators” – Was Grand Slam Track a success?

From empty supports and superstars absent to innovative formats and unusual matches -Up: has the inaugural meeting of the Grand Slam delivered?

The 12 athletes who left Kingston, in Jamaica, this weekend with other $ 100,000 (£ 77,500) after having competed in just two events could suggest that it was a huge success.

However, enormous bands of empty seats at the National Stadium led to the feeling that the innovative new format, the fruit of the four -time Olympic champion Michael Johnson, has a job to do to capture an audience.

“Obviously, look, we are honest. We would like to see more spectators here, you know?” Johnson said.

“We think we understand it, we think it will happen. But the crowd was busy, and that’s what is really important. People were really busy with what is happening here.”

American Johnson said he launched the concept, broadcast on TNT Sports in the United Kingdom, in a offer to maintain attention and excitement Athletics generates every four years at the Olympics.

The event in Jamaica was the first of the four three -day events scheduled – each of the following three took place in the United States – and Johnson was happy with how it took place, even if he admitted that there are problems to be ironed.

“Everything went smoothly from the point of view of competition,” added Johnson. “But we had some things behind the scenes we didn’t like.

“Other people probably didn’t notice, but we did it. We will look at everything. We noticed many different things. But those are not the things in which we will have to enter at this moment.

“At this moment we are just celebrating that we had a great event, the athletes and fans have fun. We will continue to improve.”