New Grand Slam circuit offers track nerds plenty to debate early in season

Putting Sydney McLaughlin in the final race of the final day of the inaugural Grand Slam Track event was a simple choice for organizers.

She's American and mediagenic and a generational performer. Three trips to the Olympics and counting. Four gold medals, with more coming if she stays healthy and motivated. Every time she steps on the track she threatens the 400-metre hurdle world record.

Except Sunday afternoon she'll be running the flat 400, which, as of right now, is her second-best event.

And instead of lining up against Grand Slam Track's other 400m standouts, like current world leader Salwa Eid Nasser, 2024 Olympic champion Marileidy Paulino and 200m gold medallist Gabby Thomas, the new circuit's format will pit her against other hurdlers in a race without obstacles.

That first matchup — a four-way battle royale among tip-tier elites — is a headliner at any track meet on the planet, and the kind of high-speed, high-profile showdown that intrigues hardcores and drive-by fans alike. It's also the kind of race the new league teased when it promised to gather best-in-class performers in a unique format.

And the main event they're delivering on Sunday?

It's a series of choices.

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A smart performance decision to put 21 hours between the hurdles and the flat 400, to give fine-tuned athletes maximum time to rest. 

A savvy marketing play to set up McLaughlin-Levrone — who has the fastest personal best in the field by two seconds — to conduct a quarter-mile clinic in the meet's final race, and leave a stunning final impression on viewers in the 189 countries