Sprinter Daryll Neita has develop into the primary British lady to hitch Michael Johnson’s new athletics league.
Neita, 28, was a part of the Nice Britain 4x100m relay workforce that took silver on the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Grand Slam Monitor, launched by American legend Johnson in June, will goal to convey collectively the world’s elite runners, providing $100,000 (£78,683) as a high prize.
Beginning in April 2025, the brand new format may have a prize fund of $12.6m (£9.9m) cut up over 4 occasions.
Neita joins 1500m runner Josh Kerr and 400m star Matthew Hudson-Smith, each silver medallists in Paris, because the British athletes confirmed for the competitors.
Alongside Neita, Kenya’s 800m world champion and Olympic bronze medallist Mary Moraa and Salwa Eid Naser of Bahrain, a former world champion who gained 400m silver in Paris, have been additionally introduced as opponents for 2025.
“I am actually excited to be the primary British lady introduced as becoming a member of Grand Slam Monitor, and might’t wait to begin racing on this recent new league,” stated Neita.
“I really like the idea and attending to race twice in a weekend is enjoyable and thrilling for all of us as racers. It’s an incredible alternative to compete on the highest stage in an entire new format that’s going to convey plenty of power to the game.”
Grand Slam Monitor will function 4 conferences every year, with two hosted in the US.
Athletes will compete in two occasions every and 48 shall be contracted to the league.
Cash in athletics has develop into a speaking level in latest months, with World Athletics asserting in April it might pay prize cash to Olympic athletes.
In June, the governing physique introduced a brand new world championship to begin in 2026 with gold medallists receiving $150,000 (£118,000).
World Athletics stated its championship would have $10m (£7.87m) in prize cash.
The Diamond League at the moment gives a $30,000 (£23,610) prize for these athletes successful an occasion throughout its 15 conferences.
“They should be compensated,” stated 56-year-old Johnson, who’s a BBC athletics pundit.
“The construction of the game previously has not compensated these athletes to take that threat to go and compete towards the very best athletes within the sport.”
