Strong British fields at the Philadelphia Slam

Dina Asher-Smith, Georgia Hunter Bell and Laviai Nielsen join the likes of Josh Kerr, Matt Hudson-Smith and Zharnel Hughes in Pennsylvania

Grand Slam Track, founded by quadruple Olympic and eight-time world champion Michael Johnson, has announced their full-line up for their next meeting in Philadelphia (May 31/June 1).

Not only does it feature a plethora of international stars but nine of Great Britain’s finest athletes – four Racers and five Challengers – will also grace the track at Franklin Field.

Zharnel Hughes is a Racer in the men’s Short Sprints group and he once again competes against Kenny Bednarek over 100m and 200m. Bednarek has picked up maximum points so far (48 – 24 for each meet) with wins overall in both Kingston and Miami. Hughes meanwhile placed second in Jamaica and third in Florida.

Even though Daryll Neita and Dina Asher-Smith both competed in Kingston, they ran in different groups, with Neita part of the women’s Short Sprints and Asher-Smith opting for the 200m/400m challenge in the Long Sprints.

However, in Philadelphia, the British sprinting duo will go head-to-head. With Neita placing fourth in the Olympic 100m final and Asher-Smith being the national 100m and 200m record-holder, it promises to be a pulsating battle. Both will be aiming to chase down Melissa Jefferson-Wooden who, like Bednarek, has picked up every single point on offer so far.

Matthew Hudson-Smith started Grand Slam Track with a bang with victory in the men’s Long Sprints in Kingston, following that up with a fifth place finish overall in Miami.  The Olympic 400m silver medallist will take on the likes of Muzala Samukonga, Steven Gardiner and Miami champion Jereem Richards in Pennsylvania.

The Nielsen twins, Laviai and Lina, make their Grand Slam track debuts and compete in the women’s Long Sprints and Long Hurdles respectively. It will be Laviai Nielsen’s second 400m of the season after her she clocked 52.02 at the Doha Diamond League and her first 200m since last March in Johannesburg.

With Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone swapping the Long Hurdles for the Short Hurdles, Lina Nielsen’s job is made slightly easier but the British indoor 600m record-holder still faces a quality field, which includes the likes of Shamier Little, Rushell Clayton and Jasmine Jones.

There’s also the enticing prospect of Josh Kerr going head-to-head against Elliot Giles over 800m/1500m in the men’s Short…