TOKYO (AP) — The failure of Michael Johnson's attempt to transform track and field with the Grand Slam Track league hovered over big swaths of the sport's world championships over its nine-day run in Tokyo. Dozens of athletes who competed but didn't get paid adjusted their 2025 schedules so they could run in the league's four events, which turned out to only be three after the final meet in Los Angeles was scrubbed.

Those who struggled at worlds — distance runners who participated in the GST stood out — could look at the need of trying to peak three or more times over the season — for the league, for their national championships, then for world championships — as part of their problem. But others who ran in the league thrived in Tokyo, and it was an impressive list that included Melissa J

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