Bahrain’s Salwa Eid Naser, the 2019 World champion and 2024 Olympic silver medalist at 400m, has signed on as a Racer with Grand Slam Track ahead of the professional track league’s inaugural season in 2025.

Here’s What You Need To Know:

– Naser earned her first Olympic medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics when she crossed the finish line in 48.53 behind Marileidy Paulino of the Dominican Republic, who ran an Olympic record of 48.17. Paulino was the first Racer signed to the women’s long sprints category that will contest the 200m and 400m at each of the four Slams in Kingston, Miami, Philadelphia and Los Angeles.

– Each athlete will receive points for their finishing position in the two races. After the two events, the athlete with the highest point total will win the Slam and the $100,000 prize for first place.

– Naser owns a personal best of 48.14 for 400m, when she won the 2019 World Championships in Doha. In 2020, she was suspended for missing three drug tests in a 12-month span and missed the Tokyo Olympics.

Paulino vs. Naser Rivalry Continues

Paulino and Naser are the two fastest 400m women in 2024. They raced each other six times in 2024. Paulino won all six races including the Olympics and Diamond League final. They have never raced each other over 200m.

Paulino owns a faster personal best over 200m 22.36 to Naser’s 22.51.

What She Had To Say:

“Joining Grand Slam Track is a huge opportunity, and I’m determined to keep pushing myself with every race. This league presents an exciting challenge, and I’m ready to give it everything I’ve got. I know this season will push me to new limits, and I’m focused on making each race count. It’s all about working hard, getting better with each step, and showing up stronger every time.”

Who Will Fill The Final Two Racer Spots?

400m Olympic bronze medalist Natalia Kaczmarek, Alexis Homles, Amber Anning, Nickisha Pryce, Lieke Klaver, and Rhasidat Adeleke could all be candidates for the final Racer spot. 200m Olympic champion Gabby Thomas (who also boasts a 49.68 PB for 400m) could also be an intriguing fit but also has the versatility to join the short sprints Racers group that will race the 100m/200m. CITIUS MAG has dubbed the Racers who have the versatility to compete across more than one Grand Slam Track event group as “unicorns.” Two-time 400m hurdles Olympic champion and world record holder Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone would be another unicorn since she has signed with the league but could contest the 200m/400m group instead of the 400m/400m hurdles grouping.

Who Else Has Signed With Grand Slam Track So Far:

– Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone (June 18th)

– Josh Kerr (June 27th)

– Cole Hocker and Yared Nuguse (Sept. 4th)

– Fred Kerley and Kenny Bednarek (Sept. 12th)

– Melissa Jefferson (Sept. 19th)

– Masai Russell, Cyrena Samba Mayela and Jasmine Camacho-Quinn (Sept. 25th)

– Alison Dos Santos and Clément Ducos (Sept. 26th)

– Muzala Samukonga (Sept. 26th)

– Quincy Hall and Matthew Hudson-Smith (Oct. 10th)

– Nikki Hiltz (Oct. 15th)

– Grant Fisher and Ronald Kwemoi (Oct. 15th)

– Roshawn Clarke and Ackera Nugent (Oct. 17th)

– Luis Grijalva (Oct. 22nd)

– Shamier Little, Jasmine Jones and Rushell Clayton (Oct. 22nd)

– Jessica Hull (Oct. 22nd)

– Devon Allen and Daniel Roberts (Oct. 22nd)

– Marileidy Paulino (Oct. 22nd)

– Jereem Richards (Oct. 22nd)

– Marco Arop (Oct. 22nd)

– Tsigie Gebreselama and Agnes Ngetich (Oct. 22nd)

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