The sprint hurdler will make his track comeback next year, after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament last December
Devon Allen, the third fastest athlete in history over 110m hurdles, has signed for Grand Slam Track.
The 29-year-old, who has also represented the Philadelphia Eagles as a wide-receiver, tore his anterior cruciate ligament for the third time last December and subsequently missed the entire 2024 season.
Allen had planned to compete in his third Olympics in Paris – he finished fourth in Tokyo and fifth in Rio – but didn’t recover in time to attempt qualification for the Games.
The American made his NFL debut for the Eagles last September but became a free agent at the end of the 2023/24 season.
Devon Allen (Getty)
Allen set his personal 110m hurdles best of 12.84 in New York two years ago and that is still the third fastest time in history.
Only world record-holder Aries Merritt and reigning Olympic champion Grant Holloway have gone quicker than Allen in the event.
Allen will be joined by Daniel Roberts in the ‘short hurdles’ category at Grand Slam Track and they will compete in the 100m and 110m hurdles.
“Whether I’m on the field or on the track, I love competition,” said Allen. “Grand Slam Track gives me a way to return to racing and face some of the best athletes out there.
“I’m thankful to Michael [Johnson] and the team for calling me back to the track. I’m ready to get back to what I love and test myself against the other fastest men in the world.”
Marileidy Paulino (Getty)
Another notable name to have signed for Grand Slam Track is current Olympic 400m champion Marileidy Paulino.
The 27-year-old ran an Olympic record of 48.17 to claim gold at the Stade de France and went fourth on the all-time list.
Paulino also secured victories in the Diamond League final and Athlos NYC, going unbeaten through the entire season.
“For me, it’s about making my country proud and continuing to raise the bar,” said Paulino. “Grand Slam Track is a new chapter for me and I’m ready to keep showing what hard work and heart can do.
“This is a great opportunity for us as athletes to continue to make our sport shine on a global stage.”
Jess Hull (Getty)
Both Allen and Paulino have signed alongside Jess Hull, Daniel Roberts, Shamier Little, Marco Arop, Jasmine Jones, Jereem Richards, Luis Grijalva, and Rushell Clayton.
It means that a total of 30 athletes are now part of the Grand Slam Track roster.
All of them will be Racers, which means they compete in all four of the Slams and receive an annual base compensation for competing in each one, as well as being eligible for full prize money.
At Grand Slam Track there will be 48 Racers and Challengers. They will be assigned to compete in one of the following categories and will all race in two events during each Slam: short sprints (100m/200m), short hurdles (100m hurdles or 110m hurdles/100m), long sprints (200m/400m), long hurdles (400m hurdles/400m), short distance (800m/1500m), or long distance (3000m/5000m).
Michael Johnson (Grand Slam Track)
“I’m proud to welcome this incredible group of athletes to Grand Slam Track,” said Michael Johnson, the league’s founder and Commissioner.
“They’ve all proven themselves on the world’s biggest stages but this league gives them a chance to face each other consistently and bring something new to the sport.
“I can’t wait to see how they step up and take their performances even further. We continue to add the fastest talent from all over the world and we’re so excited for fans to see what we’ve built, starting in 2025.”
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