Thomas Barr doesn’t think the Athletics Grand Slam will have an impact on the Diamond League

Irish track and field athlete Thomas Barr believes the new circuit of professional athletics, the Grand Slam of Athletics, launched by American sprinting legend Michael Johnson, will not have as big an impact on the Diamond League as many feared.

Michael Johnson’s series will feature four three-day meetings between April and June, mostly in the United States, with huge contracts and prize money. Each will feature the league’s 48 contracted athletes and a rotating roster of 48 contenders.

“It’s good to see innovation in the sport, things needed a bit of a refresh. But I don’t see it changing things dramatically in terms of the Diamond League or the Continental Tour”, said Thomas Barr

Athletes competing in the Grand Slam of Athletics will have to compete in two events over three days at each meet, with the winner of each event category earning $100,000 (97,000 EUR). The regular season Diamond Leagues will pay out a relatively modest $10,000-$20,000 to the winners depending on the event and $30,000-$50,000 for the final.

“When it comes to sport, particularly athletics, money talks. There’s such a limited window, such limited places to make money in sport, that’s what’s going to attract people. The big budget is what’s attracting people now. It’ll be interesting to see if the actual event will keep those people”, added Thomas Barr.

Thomas Barr sees one clear upside to the division of talent across the sport’s top professional circuits.

“It will give Irish athletes a better chance of getting lanes in the Diamond Leagues. I don’t think it’s going to take a huge amount of money away from the Diamond League. I’m interested to see if athletes will commit to the number of events (at the Grand Slam) or will they pull out and ask if it’s in their best interest to compete again two days later”, said also Thomas Barr.

Irish star Rhasidat Adeleke was approached by Michael Johnson’s team about joining the Grand Slam of athletics, but her coach said the format was not right for them.

American superstar Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone and Briton Josh Kerr were among the early sign-ups, although many European stars such as Femke Bol, Jakob Ingebrigtsen and Karsten Warholm have yet to express interest.

Thomas Barr believes the Diamond League is “really well-tuned for television – it’s a few hours, high intensity. People can follow the stories of the athletes, be exposed to something more than just the championships”.

After his third Olympics in Paris, the 32-year-old Thomas Barr took a long break, and has not yet decided whether to officially end his career. He admitted, however, that he would be happy either way.