Michael Johnson, the four-time Olympic gold medallist, has been dropped from BBC athletics coverage following a turbulent period linked to his failed business venture.
The 58-year-old American sprint icon served as a pundit for the broadcaster for more than two decades, beginning his role in 2001.
However, Johnson has not appeared on BBC coverage since the Paris 2024 Olympics, and the corporation has confirmed there are no plans for his return this year.
His absence coincides with the financial turmoil surrounding Grand Slam Track, the athletics competition series he founded.
The former world record holder was also notably absent from the BBC’s World Championships coverage last year, with no explanation provided by the broadcaster.
Grand Slam Track was established in 2024 with ambitious promises to competitors entering the new athletics series.
Athletes participating in the venture were guaranteed payments simply for taking part as official racers at each meeting.
Michael Johnson is one of the biggest names in athletics history
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Winners at each of the four planned events stood to receive approximately £74,000, drawn from a total prize pot exceeding £8.8 million.
Despite these substantial financial commitments, the company proved unable to meet its obligations to competitors within the promised timeframes.
The venture ultimately filed for bankruptcy in 2025, having staged just three meetings in Kingston, Miami and Philadelphia before its collapse.
Michael Johnson’s Grand Slam Track has encountered difficulties behind the scenes | GETTY
Participants who had been assured significant earnings found themselves facing uncertainty over compensation.
Court documents filed in the United States have alleged that Johnson received a $500,000 payment prior to the cancellation of the remaining Grand Slam Track events.
The accusations suggest this sum was directed to the Olympic champion while athletes and vendors remained unpaid by the struggling company.
Grand Slam Track has firmly rejected these claims, with the organisation describing the allegations as “unfounded and false.”
The financial difficulties left competitors who had signed up for the series in a precarious position, having been promised substantial rewards that failed to materialise.
The collapse has raised serious questions about the management of funds within the venture and the treatment of athletes who committed to the fledgling competition.
Alex Tourk, speaking on behalf of Grand Slam Track, addressed the allegations directly in a statement to the Daily Mail.
“On behalf of Grand Slam Track, we are aware of the UCC’s recent allegation that GST secretly paid $500,000 to Mr Johnson instead of paying athletes and vendors. This claim is unfounded and false,” Tourk said.
The spokesman explained that Johnson had personally provided millions of dollars to cover the company’s operational costs, including travel and accommodation expenses for athletes.
According to Tourk, only a portion of these advances were subsequently returned to Johnson through reimbursement.
He accused the UCC of disregarding the facts and attempting to damage both the company’s and Johnson’s reputation through misleading statements.
