BIG PLANS
Olympic legend Michael Johnson in major new career venture as he launches own professional sports league
New event could rival existing Diamond League
OLYMPIC great Michael Johnson has announced his new track and field league will launch in 2025.
Johnson has partnered with Winners Alliance to develop the new league, featuring global athletes.
2
2
The format isn't yet known, but will resemble US sports leagues.
Johnson has long been a critic of the way track and field is organized, arguing the sport is undersold.
“I am excited about my new track venture,” Johnson said.
“I have teamed up with some great partners and together we are making the biggest investment ever into professional track and field to build a professional, truly fan-focused league that will unlock commercial value for the best track and field athletes in the world."
Read more sports stories
It could be that the new league quickly becomes a rival for the existing Diamond League series of events.
Johnson has been critical of the Diamond League in the past, saying, "I love this sport and owe everything I have to this sport.
"It’s been a shame for me to watch it over the last couple of decades since I retired not be able to continue to provide the same amazing moments to people, outside of just the Olympics.
"Over three billion people are watching the sport once a year during major championships and have an expressed interest to continue watching the sport if there was a place to do so. So I see it as a real opportunity from that perspective.
Most read in Athletics
"The track has been such a big part of my life and I’m in a position to help this sport get back to where it should be.
Johnson's career in track and field was the stuff of folklore.
Forgotten Team GB star Dwain Chambers ‘to RETURN to athletics 20 YEARS after doping ban’ aged 45
He won the 200m and 400m double at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, breaking the world record in the 200m final.
The 56-year-old followed that up by winning 400m gold at the 200 Sydney Olympics.