‘PHENOMENAL’ – Jamaica Observer

PRESIDENT of Grand Slam Observe Steve Gera says he was impressed with the assist and vitality of Jamaican followers contained in the Nationwide Stadium over the three days of the sequence and hopes that the groundbreaking competitors will return to the island.

Gera, talking to the Jamaica Observer after the ultimate day of competitors on Sunday, says that whereas there’s a want to totally assess the execution of the Kingston leg of the competitors, he’s trying ahead to its potential return to Jamaica, pointing to the ambiance generated in the course of the inaugural staging as a serious optimistic.

“Issues went nice and I’m actually enthusiastic about the way forward for the league,” mentioned Gera.

“This was a tremendous place to start out. The group actually confirmed out so far as cheering on for the observe athletes. It was superb, it was completely electrical. We’re simply actually enthusiastic about your complete week and every part that we skilled right here in Kingston,” Gera added.

Grand Slam Observe, a brand new skilled circuit for observe athletes, was first introduced by American sprinting nice Michael Johnson, the four-time Olympic champion and former world report holder.

The sequence, which made its debut in Jamaica, will now transfer to Miami, Philadelphia and Los Angeles this season. It options a number of the largest names within the sport competing in two complementary occasions over a weekend in a points-based system. Each occasion class winner walks away with US$100,000 at every Grand Slam, in what’s described because the richest prize pool in athletics.

“You at all times hope that the way in which you consider issues is the very same means that followers are going to consider issues — I do know that’s what we did. The imaginative and prescient that we had for this was considerably controversial however Michael, from the very starting, was laser-focused on giving the followers what they need. We really feel actually validated by the truth that throughout social, throughout broadcast, the world over, persons are actually energised by the format, and actually get it and perceive it,” Gera shared.

“We have now work to do there nonetheless, we’ll clarify it higher to individuals as we sort of undergo this, however a number of the races have been completely phenomenal due to the stakes that have been related to the groupings. So, I’m actually proud of the way in which that the world thus far embraced the format,” he mentioned.

Danielle Williams was the one Jamaican Grand Slam Observe winner on the opening staging, with the likes of Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, Kenny Bednarek, Gabby Thomas, Alison Dos Santos and Diribe Welteji being amongst those that earned the US$100,000 bonanza.

Gera famous that whereas the scale of the gang on the Nationwide Stadium over the three days left quite a bit to be desired, there was no scarcity of “vibes” among the many Jamaican followers.

“So we’re nonetheless evaluating precisely what we need to do and what we need to change, and we’re at all times open to that, you already know? There’s undoubtedly some issues — so far as like a pre-game present and post-game present — that I feel we’re going to start out doing for followers within the subsequent couple venues that we’ll find yourself diving into however, general, I’m simply actually, actually proud of the way in which every part went. And many of the modifications that we’ll make this season will in all probability simply be tweaks right here and there,” mentioned Gera.

“I wouldn’t say I’m upset with the general turnout; I do know there’s all kinds of the explanation why individuals do and don’t come to occasions. I used to be actually excited concerning the vitality and the gang whereas they have been right here within the stadium. The grandstand was completely phenomenal, and the bleachers [on Saturday] have been completely phenomenal. So pay attention, I feel we’re actually proud of the way in which every part went, I’m actually proud of the way in which that Jamaica confirmed out, and we’re excited to, you already know, get again right here,” Gera famous.

Sasha Zhoya celebrates victory within the males’s 100m throughout Grand Slam Observe at Jamaica’s Nationwide Stadium on Sunday, April 6, 2025. (Picture: Naphtali Junior)