Josh Kerr has voiced his “frustration” over the substantial six-figure sum he is owed by Michael Johnson’s now-defunct Grand Slam Track project, which collapsed into bankruptcy last December.
Kerr, who is among the athletes most significantly impacted, has submitted a claim for $218,750 (£164,150) following the project’s abrupt curtailment of its inaugural 2025 season.
The ambitious Grand Slam Track initiative, spearheaded by four-time Olympic champion Michael Johnson, ceased operations after failing to secure sufficient funding. Its demise has left numerous athletes and vendors out of pocket.
Adding to the controversy, a recent court filing by vendors alleged Johnson secretly received $500,000 (£372,750) at a time when he was reportedly aware that creditors would be left unpaid.
Representatives for the project have reportedly denied these accusations, stating that Johnson himself advanced millions towards operating expenses.
Despite the significant financial blow, Kerr maintains a complex view of the situation.
“Of course I’m frustrated,” said Kerr. “I’m owed a lot of money, so in any business anyone’s going to be frustrated. I don’t particularly know right now where to push those frustrations and where they should sit.”
Yet, he added: “I’ve had conversations with Michael, I’ve had information given to me by my agents on this stuff. I don’t think these are bad people. I think this is a horrible situation.”
His primary concern, he emphasised, lies with less established athletes.
“I’m not super worried about myself. I’m worried about some of the other athletes, and they had their stories exposed of working jobs and not being sponsored, and then they had this life-changing money. That’s what I care about.”
He concluded: “I’m standing with the people I’ve signed with. I think they are good people, I think this is just a horrible situation.”
Away from the financial turmoil, Kerr has made a swift recovery from a grade-two calf tear, an injury sustained in a “freak accident” during last year’s 1500m final at the World Athletics Championships in Japan.
He described his turnaround as “a lot quicker than you’d expect from a guy that couldn’t even walk himself to breakfast.”
This week, the 2023 world 1500m champion is set to compete in Poland, aiming to reclaim the world indoor 3000m title he secured in Glasgow two years ago, having missed its defence last year due to injury and illness.
Looking ahead, the Albuquerque-based athlete plans to increase his racing schedule across Europe and the UK, with a home Commonwealth Games also on the horizon.
This strategy, he explained, is to “get back to my roots of racing and back home as much as possible.”
Kerr views a potential third world title as a “really big stepping stone” into a season where he hopes to silence his critics.
He asserted: “I believe I am the best athlete in the world at these distances. There’s no one in the world who can convince me otherwise.”
