The sun-soaked track at Kingston, Jamaica, set the stage for history on April 6, 2025, as Grand Slam Track hosted its inaugural event. Among the standout performances, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone stole the spotlight, reinforcing her status as a track and field powerhouse.
The four-time Olympic gold medallist and reigning 400m hurdles world record holder took her talents to the flat 400m and did not disappoint. Battling blustery winds, McLaughlin-Levrone powered through the race in a remarkable 50.32 seconds to secure the victory and the women’s long hurdles slam title. Her win came after she opened the competition with a world-leading 52.76 in the 400m hurdles, cementing her dominance across both events.
Speaking to NBC’s streaming platform Peacock, McLaughlin-Levrone reflected on her approach, saying, “Anything can happen. Just got to execute, focus on yourself and go out there and do what you know how to do.” Her calm yet determined mindset was evident in both her performances, showcasing not just physical strength but mental resilience.
Perhaps even more intriguing for fans was McLaughlin-Levrone’s hint at future versatility. While she’s already the reigning queen of the 400m hurdles, she’s eyeing new territory. “We’ve definitely talked about doing the [long sprints] in LA,” she said, also teasing the possibility of competing in the 100m hurdles or even the 100m sprint in upcoming Grand Slam events. Such a move could redefine her already historic legacy.
The excitement wasn’t limited to McLaughlin-Levrone. The men’s 800m race brought together top-tier talent, including Paris 2024 Olympic champion Emmanuel Wanyonyi of Kenya. Wanyonyi clocked a time of 1:46.44 in a hotly contested race, finishing just behind Canada’s Marco Arop. Nevertheless, his performance, combined with a personal best 3:35.18 in the 1500m earlier in the meet, was enough to crown him the men’s short distance slam champion.
Another notable name lighting up the track was Brazil’s Alison dos Santos, a two-time Olympic bronze medallist in the 400m hurdles. He impressed with a 45.52 win in the 400m flat, following an earlier world-leading 47.61 in the 400m hurdles. Those back-to-back victories secured him the men’s long hurdles slam title, signaling his continued evolution as one of the sport’s most consistent performers.
On the women’s side, Gabby Thomas also made headlines. The Paris 2024 Olympic gold medallist in the 200m sprint brought her winning form to Kingston, claiming the 200m title and finishing second in the 400m. Her strong overall showing earned her the slam title in the women’s long sprints and underscored her range across the sprint spectrum.
The Grand Slam Track series, with its innovative format and elite roster of athletes, has already made a significant impact on the sport. As the first season continues, fans now look ahead to the next stop on the calendar: Miami, from May 2–4. With the likes of McLaughlin-Levrone, Wanyonyi, dos Santos, and Thomas delivering electrifying performances, the stage is set for an unforgettable season of world-class athletics.