The recent cancellation of the final Grand Slam Track meet in Los Angeles has sent ripples through the track and field community, drawing sharp criticism from one of the sport’s most respected voices—Bobby Kersee. As the longtime coach of Olympic champion Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, Kersee expressed both frustration and concern over what the cancellation signifies for professional track athletes and the future of the sport in the United States.
Kersee took to Instagram to share his candid thoughts following the disappointing news. While the Grand Slam Track series had been promoted as a bold new step in making track and field more accessible, exciting, and lucrative, the sudden axing of its highly anticipated Los Angeles finale has raised questions about its stability and long-term viability. For Kersee, who has guided some of the sport’s biggest stars, including McLaughlin-Levrone and Allyson Felix, this is more than just a scheduling inconvenience—it’s a reflection of broader systemic issues within the sport.
In his post, Kersee emphasized that professional track and field athletes are among the hardest-working and most dedicated athletes in the world. Their days are built around grueling training regimens, strict nutrition, mental conditioning, and countless sacrifices, all aimed at peak performance on the global stage. Yet, he pointed out, these world-class competitors are consistently let down—not by their efforts or results, but by the lack of consistent infrastructure and dependable financial support.
“Track athletes don’t ask for much,” Kersee wrote. “Just a fair chance to compete and a platform that respects their efforts. The talent is here. The commitment is here. But where is the backing?”
The Grand Slam Track initiative was designed to fill a glaring void in the American track and field calendar—a series that would bring together top-tier talent in a consistent and engaging format. Its events earlier in the season showed promise, with solid attendance, strong viewership numbers, and high-caliber performances. For fans and athletes alike, it was a welcome innovation in a sport that often struggles with visibility outside of the Olympic and World Championship cycles.
But as Kersee highlighted, innovation without stability is a recipe for disappointment. “You can’t build a future for the sport if athletes can’t trust the calendar,” he noted. The cancellation of the LA meet doesn’t just disrupt training schedules—it also directly impacts sponsorships, appearance fees, performance bonuses, and athletes’ momentum heading into global championships.
Kersee’s message was as much a call to action as it was an expression of disappointment. He stressed that while ideas like Grand Slam Track have potential, they need consistent and committed financial investment, along with strong organizational support, to truly flourish. Without it, even the most promising ventures risk collapsing—leaving athletes, coaches, and fans in a constant state of uncertainty.
As the sport continues to evolve, voices like Bobby Kersee’s serve as important reminders that behind every meet and medal are athletes whose livelihoods depend on more than just talent—they need a structure that honors their hard work and secures their future. With major events like the Olympics on the horizon, the track and field community now faces the challenge of turning this setback into a turning point.