Fisher and Kwemoi become first “long distance Racers” at Grand Slam Track

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The Olympic 5000m medallists join Michael Johnson’s new event alongside world indoor 1500m silver medallist Nikki Hiltz

Grant Fisher and Ronald Kwemoi, who both stood on the Olympic 5000m podium in Paris, have signed up for Grand Slam Track.

The duo finished behind Jakob Ingebrigtsen in the French capital and claimed bronze and silver respectively.

Both Fisher and Kwemoi will race over 3000m and 5000m at Grand Slam Track and are the first long distance athletes so far to join Michael Johnson’s event.

Fisher, who also secured an Olympic 10,000m bronze medal to his collection in the summer, is the US record-holder in both the 3000m and 5000m and has respective bests of 7:25.27 and 12:46.96 over the distances.

The 27-year-old is also a US 5000m champion and in his collegiate career was honoured NCAA Division I All-American recognition on an incredible 11 occasions.

“I’m thrilled to be part of Grand Slam Track, which I believe is the future of our sport,” said Fisher. “Looking ahead to 2025, the opportunity to compete in four high-level Slams against the fastest men in the world marks a major shift for track and field.

“Building on the momentum from the Olympics, this gives us Racers an exciting chance to face off regularly, with big prizes and bragging rights at stake. I can’t wait to hit the track next year and see who’s truly the best.”

Kwemoi will no doubt be challenging Fisher in races and enjoyed the biggest moment of his career so far in Paris, claiming Olympic 5000m silver at the Stade de France.

The 29-year-old used to be a 1500m runner and not only secured Commonwealth silver in the metric mile at Glasgow 2014 but still holds the under-20 record of 3:28.81.

In 2016, the Kenyan before moved up to the 5000m and boasts a personal best of 13:02.56 over 12 and a half laps.

“I am very excited to be the first athlete representing my country of Kenya in Grand Slam Track,” said Kwemoi. “I want to continue to test myself against the best runners in the world and Grand Slam Track is the perfect stage for that.

“This league is a great project to be a part of and it will be very exciting when the Slams begin next year.”

Meanwhile, Nikki Hiltz is the latest 800m/1500m signing and states it was a “no-brainer” to join Grand Slam Track.

The 29-year-old enjoyed a standout season and one that included a world indoor 1500m silver medal, glory on home turf over the distance at the USATF Championships and a seventh placed finish at the Olympics.

“I’m ecstatic to be a part of Grand Slam Track,” said Hiltz. “The opportunity to compete in regularly scheduled elite meets like these Slams is a great step forward for us as athletes and I’m certain fans will love the concept.

“Michael [Johnson] explained the vision to me and it was obvious that being involved in this was a no-brainer. I can’t wait to get started.”

It means that 18 athletes have now signed for Grand Slam Track with Grant Fisher, Ronald Kwemoi and Nikki Hiltz joining Matthew Hudson-Smith, Quincy Hall, Alison Dos Santos, Muzala Samukonga, Clément Ducos, Masai Russell, Cyréna Samba-Mayela, Jasmine Camacho-Quinn, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, Melissa Jefferson, Fred Kerley, Kenny Bednarek, Cole Hocker, Yared Nuguse, and Josh Kerr.

All of these athletes will be Racers which means they compete in all four of the Slams and receive an annual base compensation for competing in each one, as well as being eligible for full prize money.

At Grand Slam Track there will be 48 Racers and Challengers. They will be assigned to compete in one of the following categories and will all race in two events during each Slam: short sprints (100m/200m), short hurdles (100m hurdles or 110m hurdles/100m), long sprints (200m/400m), long hurdles (400m hurdles/400m), short distance (800m/1500m), or long distance (3000m/5000m).

“We are continuing to add top tier talent to our roster of Grand Slam Track,” said Michael Johnson, the league’s founder and Commissioner. “With Nikki, Grant, and Ronald, we are assured elite performance and great personalities, and we are delighted to welcome them all officially into the Grand Slam Track family.

“Nikki is a cornerstone of the 1500m circuit and Grant and Ronald know each other very well from their incredibly close finish in the 5000m in Paris.

“I’m certain track fans around the world will be excited at the prospect of knowing they can see these rivals face off on the track four times a year in Grand Slam Track.”

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