Sharlene Mawdsley and Andrew Coscoran caught up in Michael Johnson's $13m athletics pay row as Grand Slam Track folds
RUN DOWN Sharlene Mawdsley and Andrew Coscoran caught up in Michael Johnson's $13m athletics pay row as Grand Slam Track folds
IRISH track and field stars Sharlene Mawdsley and Andrew Coscoran have found themselves caught in the fallout of Michael Johnson's 'Grand Slam Track' crisis.
The former US Olympic champions is facing a financial crisis - with $13million still owed to athletes.
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US former Olympic athlete and Grand Slam Track head Michael Johnson has been forced to fold the series due to financial issues
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Irish star Sharlene Mawdsley ran in the Philadelphia 400m meet earlier this year
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Andrew Coscoran competed in the Miami event if the Grand Slam Track series
The bold new track and field league, launched this year by Olympic legend Johnson, promised huge prize pots and global exposure.
But just three meets into its debut season, after events in Kingston, Miami and Philadelphia - the final showpiece in Los Angeles was scrapped.
It's cancellation apparently has left athletes waiting for money they earned.
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In a lengthy statement released on social media, Johnson revealed the shocking news that GST will not take place in 2026 unless athletes receive their prize money for this year - presumably implying that athletes have yet to be compensated.
Among the competitors were Tipperary native Mawdsley, who competed in Philadelphia with a 51.12 run in the 400m (5th place), and 23.24 in the 200m (6th), banking $15,000 in prize money.
Balbriggan ace Andrew Coscoran also competed at the Miami meet, and 'earned' $50,000 as runner-up.
The Dublin athlete had already claimed victory in the 3,000m on Friday night to bag 12 points, and another win would have secured him the $100,000 top prize.
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However, Coscoran had to settle for third place in the 5,000m, adding six points to his tally. The race was won by American Grant Fisher in 13:40.32, which proved enough to clinch the overall prize.
League bosses admitted the competition will be on hold until debts are cleared, with Johnson posting: 'GST will not return until 2025 obligations are paid.'
It's a huge blow to athletes, who had been enticed by record-breaking payouts of up to $100,000 per race win and a promise to reshape athletics.
Inside Sharlene Mawdsley's 'delicious' yet atypical Tenerife holiday with GAA star boyfriend Mikey Breen
For now, the Irish pair can only focus their training and hope the saga doesn't derail momentum in what has been a stunning season.
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