British sprinter Daryll Neita believes all athletes who took part in the inaugural Grand Slam Track season are still owed money.
The fourth and final leg of Grand Slam Track – the athletics competition backed by Olympic great Michael Johnson – was cancelled in June because of economic concerns.
American Johnson has said the competition, which offered lucrative prize money, will not take place in 2026 unless athletes receive what they are owed for this year.
Neita, 29, competed at the first two Grand Slam Track meetings in Kingston, Jamaica, and Miami.
“I’m definitely happy I took part in it because I think when I initially was asked to do it, I just saw it as a really amazing opportunity and a great initiative for our sport,” said Neita, speaking to Radio 5 Live Breakfast before the start of the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.
“I would just hope that ultimately we’re all able to get what’s owed and I do believe that it will be a positive outcome, I truly do, because it was just such a great initiative and the experience that I had was great.
“They were going out of their way to give us a five-star experience and it was nice to see track developing in that way. It will be nice just to see it become a positive situation as soon as possible for all of us involved.”
Asked if she is still owed money, Neita, who will compete in the 100m, 200m and 4x100m relay in Tokyo, said: “I think we all are.”
Grand Slam Track offered a total prize pot of $12.6m (£10m), with up to $100,000 (£73,600) for winners of race categories, as well as salaries for contracted athletes.
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