Olympic 400m champion Marileidy Paulino has signed with Michael Johnson’s Grand Slam Track League for its 2025 debut, becoming the first Racer in the "long sprints" category after an unbeaten season.
Reigning Olympic 400m champion Marileidy Paulino has signed with Michael Johnson’s Grand Slam Track League ahead of its debut in 2025.
The 400m maestro has been unbeaten this season and she also made history by becoming the first Dominican woman to win an Olympic gold and she also proceeded to claim top honours at the Diamond League Meeting final in Brussels.
Marileidy Paulino will contest the “long sprints” as a Racer and will have the option to race in the 200m and 400m. She is the first Grand Slam Track Racer in the “long sprints” category.
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'Where's Sifan?', 'Where's Keely?'- Fans question as World Athletics announce nominees for 2024 Women’s Track Athlete of the Year
Fans have expressed concerns over the exclusion of Olympic champions Sifan Hassan and Keely Hodgkinson from the World Athletics 2024 Women’s Track Athlete of the Year nominees list, which includes stars like Faith Kipyegon, Beatrice Chebet, and Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone.
Signing with the Grand Slam Track League allows her to race against Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone who was the first athlete to sign with the league. According to Citius Mag, the Olympic 400m hurdles world champion has the option to contest the ‘long sprints category’ despite signing for the ‘long hurdles.
Fans were waiting for a showdown of the duo at the Diamond League Meeting final in Brussels but Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone was declared ineligible to compete there and had two special races organised for her.
Meanwhile, others who could join Marileidy Paulino in the ‘long sprints’ include Salwa Eid Naser, Natalia Kaczmarek, Alexis Homles, Amber Anning, Nickisha Pryce, Lieke Klaver, and Rhasidat Adeleke.
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'Undisputed' — Winfred Yavi posts cryptic message after 2024 Women’s Track Athlete of the Year snub
Kenya-born Olympic champion Winfred Yavi has shared a cryptic message after being left off the 2024 Women’s Track Athlete nominations.
Speaking about her signing in the Grand Slam Track League, Marileidy Paulino said: “For me, it’s about making my country proud and continuing to raise the bar. Grand Slam Track is a new chapter for me, and I’m ready to keep showing what hard work and heart can do. This is a great opportunity for us as athletes to continue to make our sport shine on a global stage.”