03-05-2025
Salwa Eid Naser Races for Bahrain's Sprint Crown at Grand Slam Track Miami
After a world-class 400m on Friday, the Olympic silver medalist returns to the track today in the 200m showdown
Bahraini sprint sensation Salwa Eid Naser is back under the spotlight today in Florida, carrying the nation's hopes in the second stop of the Grand Slam Track 2025—a new global league founded by Olympic icon Michael Johnson. The three-day event at the Ansin Sports Complex in Miramar is an important chapter in the international sprint calendar, and Naser is firmly in the mix for long sprints dominance.
Flying the Flag on a Grand Stage
The 26-year-old Bahraini, already a legend in her own right, lined up on Friday, May 2, in her signature event—the women's 400m. Racing against an elite field, Naser delivered an impressive performance to take second place with a time of 49.33 seconds, just behind reigning Olympic and world champion Marileidy Paulino of the Dominican Republic, who won in 49.21s.
Naser's performance stood out as one of the fastest times recorded worldwide in 2025, further cementing her return to top form after securing silver at the Paris 2024 Olympics with a time of 48.53 seconds. The result is also a major boost to her campaign in the long sprints category, which spans both the 200m and 400m disciplines.
Double Duty in the Slam Format
Naser returns to the track today for the 200m, scheduled for 11:35PM Bahrain time. While the 400m remains her primary strength, her 200m credentials are not to be underestimated—having clocked 22.99s for fourth place in Kingston earlier this season.
Every race counts in this innovative league. Athletes are split into event groups—Naser's being the long sprints—and accumulate leaderboard points based on their finishes. The athlete with the highest cumulative points total across all four Slam events will be crowned champion. In addition to global bragging rights, the Grand Slam Track Champion in each event group earns a $100,000 prize, part of the $12.6 million season purse.
Facing the World's Best
In both events this weekend, Naser is facing an exceptional field. Friday's 400m featured Paulino, Alexis Holmes (USA), Amber Anning (GBR), Nickisha Pryce and Stacey Ann Williams (Jamaica), and Americans Isabella Whittaker and Kendall Ellis—all of whom are among the world's top-ranked sprinters. Many will return in today's 200m, creating another exciting head-to-head clash.
With the Grand Slam's demanding format—two high-stakes races in three days—recovery, resilience, and consistency are key. It's a challenge tailor-made for an athlete like Naser, whose career has been defined by greatness.
A Story of Tenacity
Naser's journey back to the summit has been anything but straightforward. After becoming world champion in 2019 with the third-fastest 400m time in history (48.14s), she faced a two-year suspension (2019–2021) for whereabouts violations. But she returned stronger than ever, taking Olympic silver in Paris and now pursuing the Grand Slam crown with renewed fire.
Naser is the only Bahraini athlete competing in Miami, but her presence alone ensures that Bahrain's flag flies proudly on the world stage. Her performances this weekend will play a crucial role in shaping the overall standings before the next Grand Slam stops in Philadelphia (May 30–June 1) and Los Angeles (June 27–29).
As the Grand Slam Track Miami 2025 reaches its finale, all eyes turn to Salwa Eid Naser—Bahrain's sprint queen, racing not just for personal glory, but for national pride and a place atop the leaderboard.
