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The Olympian’s GST organization has categorically refuted reports that the retired track star received $2 million from the series while athletes went unpaid, labeling these rumors as completely untrue.

On the contrary, the organization claimed that Johnson himself faced financial losses throughout the project.

Athletes and Suppliers Seek Compensation

Johnson is currently confronting the possibility of lawsuits from athletes, agents, and suppliers who participated in the series events.

Sources indicate that unpaid amounts could total up to $19 million, with some athletes allegedly forced to withdraw from home acquisitions due to delayed earnings.

A number of competitors now fear they will never receive the funds they expected.

Johnson’s Spokesperson Responds

A representative for Johnson stated that, despite widespread speculation, the sprint legend did not profit from the series.

“Claims that he received $2 million or profited in any way from GST are categorically false,” the spokesperson said. “In fact, Johnson has put in over $2 million of his own money into the initiative.”

The representative continued, “We are striving to obtain more financial support, and Johnson has asked for patience while we resolve this situation.”

Inception and Termination of the Series

GST was unveiled with great fanfare in Kingston last April, promising athletes as much as $100,000 for winning their races, along with additional compensation for featured participants.

Yet, the competition was cancelled prior to the fourth meeting in LA, after the organizer disclosed that a major backer had withdrawn support because of low attendance at the Jamaican event.

While the subsequent meetings in Miami and Philadelphia were seen as well-received, the financial situation had already become dire.

Next Steps and Ongoing Developments

Johnson still believes that the series can return in the coming years and hopes to resolve all outstanding debts by the end of this month.

However, legal experts are already examining the situation, and Sebastian Coe, leader of the international governing body, has commented that they are watching carefully the developments.

Last month, Johnson acknowledged that he had let down the athletes involved, stating: “It is very hard to face the fact that you’ve built something significant while knowing you’ve failed the individuals you intended to help.”

He added, “We promised that athletes would be justly and promptly compensated. But, now we find ourselves facing challenges with our capacity to pay them.”