Two weeks ago, Michael Johnson became the focal point of intense discussion in the track and field community—but not for his groundbreaking Grand Slam Track initiative. This time, it was for a candid and controversial statement about the state of the sport. “Grand Slam Track is track; that is what we’re doing. I am going to save what I think I can save; I think I can save track; I don’t think I can save track and field,” the four-time Olympic gold medalist declared. The remark quickly went viral, igniting debates across the community.

Johnson’s blunt critique split the track and field world into two camps. On one side, supporters applauded his focus, agreeing that the track’s survival might lie in innovative reforms like GST. On the other, critics called for Johnson to extend his vision beyond the track and address the challenges in field events. Many argued that someone of Johnson’s stature should advocate for the entire sport, not just part of it. As Johnson’s statement gained traction online, it caught the attention of another sprinting legend—Justin Gatlin. The former Olympic champion weighed in, adding his insights to the ongoing conversation.

Michael Johnson sticking to track and not field

Track and field is a sport with distinct divisions within it. The division of many events into track or field events lies at the heart of the controversy that erupted following Michael Johnson’s statement. It’s not that the 57-year-old isn’t reforming the sport or bringing something new to it, but the GST, which would be held four times annually, would only feature track events and not field ones.

So what reaction did Justin Gatlin have to this statement? On his Ready Set Go podcast on YouTube, the track legend opened up, stating, “I think that, to be honest man, I think Michael spoke his truth, and, um, he felt like he can bring something different to the sport, but the sport is going to have to change to understand his difference, and obviously he feels he’s had his success and he’s gained his success on the sprint side.”

He doesn’t blame Johnson for siding with the track, as he has dedicated most of his life to that division of the sport, earning four Olympic gold medals, eight World Championships, and many more accolades. He added, “Maybe he doesn’t know much about the field side to be able to make it successful, or maybe that’s a call to arms for, um, legends in the fields, in the field world to step up and be the parallel Michael Johnson and put on great events for, uh, field events, you know,”

Gatlin continued, stating, “Um, but I think for Michael, I think it was a bold statement, bro; it was bold. Because right now in the changing of the guards that we’re in with track and field, I think more unity is better than division and how you speak upon it and fix what you can fix, but let’s do that just fix what you can fix first, you right, and if people come tap you on the shoulder and say, well, why you not fixing, you know, the field events, then okay, maybe that’s what happened; maybe that’s when the statement was made when he was asked about the field part, but it ruffled a lot of feathers, bro.”

Explaining to his co-host Rodney Green, Gatlin did acknowledge that whatever Johnson put out there in the open was very bold of him. They acknowledged the presence that he has in the sport, and any statement like this always can create turmoil in the community, even if it is a harsh truth. Furthermore, the retired four-time world champion wanted to convey that Johnson’s bold statement might have also caught the attention of field legends, who can take action to come forward and try to reform their part of the sport like the 57-year-old is doing by implementing GST. 

Gatlin also agreed that the bold claim by Johnson triggered a lot of controversy in the community, and not only among the fanbase. While the track legend’s remark divided the track and field world, some athletes expressed dissatisfaction with the way one of the sport’s biggest names made such a statement.

Frustrated reactions from track and field athletes

Whatever Michael Johnson has been doing by bringing Grand Slam Track to the calendar is just to tackle the financial problems that have plagued the sport for a long time. However, the recent statement didn’t see a ton of happy field athletes, as it did touch some nerves. Tara Davis-Woodhall was one of the first to jump in, describing her reaction, stating, “About my sport, it does not need saving at all. It’s actually, Michael, you are ruining the sport if you are trying to save just track… it’s track and field for a reason. The field events do have a lot of impact on the sport and we don’t need your saving!”

Previously, Johnson has mentioned the reason for not bringing field events into GST, as it has a different demographic and something that they couldn’t chime in with the track events, as they have quite a different audience. But Tara’s frustration is understandable, as she wasn’t going to stand for anything negative about the sport she competed in. “Your time has passed and if you wanted to change the sport, you would have done it a long time ago.” said the Olympic long jumper.

Her husband, Hunter Woodhall, was, as always, supportive of his wife and backed up her statements, stating, “Stop coming back and just being so self-important and just saying wild things to just get a rise out of people because no one cares, to be honest, at all.” Aside from the controversy, it was evident that every comment on Johnson’s statements had a significant impact on the sport. Changing track and field overnight won’t be an easy task, but many are already working on it to make it a better place for the athletes. How do you feel about GST and the whole controversy around it? Tell us in the comment section below!