Former American sprinter Michael Johnson is set to start a new athletic league next year called Grand Slam Track. Four three-day events will be held across different cities.

Johnson's event will start in Kingston, Jamaica before moving to Miami, Philadelphia, and Los Angeles.

"We've got the fastest people in the world. We think it's important that they look like the fastest people in the world, as opposed to the antithesis of fast. Some elements of the sport are stuck in the past," said Johnson to the Daily Mail.

“I think it can be huge,” insists the founder Johnson, a four-time Olympic champion. “I think the potential of this sport is immense. It’s the greatest Olympic sport. Every four years, it’s the most watched sport – and probably the most watched thing – in the world.

But the Paris Olympics 100m champion Noah Lyles has raised doubts over Johnson’s venture. The American sprinter is the best-known face in the sport and has a demand for his participation in the competition. 

Lyles, who challenged the NBA ecosystem to their belief that their title is the 'World Championship', has said that unless Johnson and Grand Slam Track sign a TV deal, it wouldn't be possible for him to take part in the event