‘They Are Not Playing No Games’ - Masai Russell Takes Swipe at Grand Slam Track After Instant Payment at ATHLOS

Olympic 100m hurdles champion Masai Russell wasted no time in showing the massive difference between Grand Slam Track and ATHLOS.

Russell was among the winners at ATHLOS on Saturday, claiming victory in the 100m hurdles in a wind-assisted 12.52 (2.3m/s), which saw her take home the top prize of $60,000.

The 25-year-old was thrilled after coming second in the inaugural edition of the women-only track event in 2024 but the speed at which the payment was made left her in awe.

PAY ATTENTION: Stay updated with the Latest Sports News in Kenya from Pulse Sports

This is because Russell is among athletes owed money by Grand Slam Track, a new track event spearheaded by American sprint legend Michael Johnson, whose first edition this year landed in big problems.

Grand Slam Track held three of their four events, in Kingston, Miami and Philadelphia, but cancelled the final one in Los Angles, before it later emerged that financial problems were at the centre of their woes.

Since then, athletes had been waiting for the payment of their appearance fees and prize money, with several promised deadlines passing, until at the start of October when they received some cash injection that allowed them to pay half of what it is owed to athletes and suppliers.

However, at ATHLOS, there are no such problems with athletes paid instantly and Russell was among those who confirmed it, using the opportunity to hit out at Grand Slam Track.

“Did you get your money?” Russell is asked in a clip posted online. In her response, the American displays her phone screen before asking: “Did you see that in the corner? They are not playing no games. Yes, I got mine [money].”

Grand Slam Track and ATHLOS are new track events started by private investors in a bid to change the fortunes of the sport and also make it more lucrative.

At Grand Slam Track, winners in each category were fighting for $100,000 per leg while $60,000 is on offer for each winner at ATHLOS, a brainchild of venture capitalist Alexis Ohanian, who is married to tennis legend Serena Williams.

ATHLOS’ instant cash became possible following a partnership with payment platform CashApp.