In January of this year, Tara-Davis Woodhall, a rising star in the world of track and field, made a bold statement about one of the sport’s legends, Michael Johnson. She accused him of “ruining the sport” by trying to save it, claiming that it’s called “track and field” for a reason. Her husband, Hunter Woodhall, even went as far as to suggest that Johnson was only making noise in order to stay relevant.
But just when we thought the drama had died down, something unexpected happened. Grand Slam Track, a newly launched platform aimed at promoting the sport of track and field, found itself in hot water with none other than Hunter Woodhall.
In a recent post on social media, Woodhall publicly mocked Grand Slam Track over a major issue, further fanning the flames of the controversy between him and Johnson. So, what exactly happened?
First, let’s take a step back and understand the backstory. Michael Johnson, a four-time Olympic gold medalist and world record holder in the 200m and 400m events, has been a vocal advocate for the sport of track and field. He has been critical of the current state of the sport and has been pushing for changes to make it more popular and profitable.
One of his initiatives was the launch of Grand Slam Track, a platform that aimed to bring all the major track and field events under one umbrella and create a more cohesive and structured calendar. This would not only make it easier for fans to follow the sport, but also attract more sponsors and media attention.
However, it seems that Hunter Woodhall, a Paralympic sprinter and social media influencer, is not on board with Johnson’s vision. In his recent post, Woodhall mocked Grand Slam Track for not including his event, the 100m, in their calendar.
But let’s take a closer look at the issue. The 100m event is not included in the Grand Slam Track calendar because it is not considered a major event in the world of track and field. It is not part of the Diamond League, the most prestigious and lucrative series of track and field events, and is usually only featured in smaller, regional competitions.
Woodhall’s criticism of Grand Slam Track seems to be based on personal reasons rather than a genuine concern for the sport. He is known for his success in the 100m event and may feel left out by not being included in the platform’s calendar. But this does not justify his public mockery of Grand Slam Track and its efforts to promote the sport.
In fact, Grand Slam Track has already taken steps to address this issue by adding the 100m event to their “Future Events” section, showing their willingness to adapt and evolve. It’s clear that they have the best interests of the sport at heart and are open to feedback and suggestions from athletes and fans.
It’s also worth noting that Grand Slam Track has already made a positive impact in the world of track and field. Their first event, the Continental Tour Gold Meeting in Nairobi, Kenya, was a huge success and received widespread praise from athletes and fans alike. This is just the beginning of what could be a game-changing platform for the sport.
As for Tara-Davis Woodhall’s criticism of Michael Johnson, it seems that she may have misunderstood his intentions. Johnson’s efforts to save the sport are not about trying to change its fundamental nature, but rather to make it more popular and accessible to a wider audience.
In the end, it’s important for athletes and fans to support initiatives like Grand Slam Track that have the potential to elevate the sport of track and field. Instead of creating unnecessary drama and division, let’s all come together to support and promote the sport that we all love.
So, let’s put aside the negativity and focus on the positive impact that Grand Slam Track can have on the sport of track and field. Let’s give it a chance to prove itself and work towards a brighter future for the sport. After all, it’s called “track and field” for a reason – because it’s a sport that brings people together and unites them in their love for running, jumping, and throwing.
