Olympian Hudson-Smith unsure of GST payments

BIRMINGHAM, England (AP):

Olympic silver medallist Matt Hudson-Smith says he has “a memory like a fish” and is unsure whether he has been paid what he is owed by Grand Slam Track (GST), the league that filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection late last year.

Speaking at a press conference ahead of the European Championships in Birmingham, Hudson-Smith responded to comments from four-time Olympic champion Michael Johnson, who told the Telegraph that he had “been able to get these athletes paid”.

Johnson launched the league in 2025, offering star athletes salaries and appearance fees to compete in a four-event circuit, along with prize money at each meet. But the series was cut short when Grand Slam Track cancelled its final event in Los Angeles last June.

“I’m going to be real, I have a memory like a fish, so I can’t remember what’s going on,” said Hudson-Smith, a two-time European champion in the 400 metres.

A filing in US Bankruptcy Court in Delaware in January listed Hudson-Smith as being owed US$147,500.

“This whole year, I’ve been just focused on Europeans. Grand Slam, I don’t know if I’ve been paid, to be honest with you, and you can quote that,” said the 31-year-old, who won silver in the 400m at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

The court filing listed more than 300 people and companies owed some US$40 million. Among them was hurdler Eric Edwards Jr, who told the Associated Press in January that the money was earmarked for practical needs, such as rent.

Johnson, however, insisted progress had been made.

“Everybody’s been paid – $11 million for three track meets – more money than has ever been paid to track athletes to compete,” Johnson said.

A note accompanying the Telegraph’s video interview added: “Johnson raised US$11m to pay athletes, but some of that is held in escrow and still in the process of being distributed.”