The sprinter will return next year after tearing his ACL last December.
Devon Allen, the third-fastest 110m hurdler in history, has signed a Grand Slam race.
The 29-year-old, who also represented the Philadelphia Eagles as a wide receiver, tore his ACL for the third time last December and then missed the entire 2024 season.
Allen planned to participate in his third Olympic Games in Paris. he finished fourth in Tokyo and fifth in Rio, but did not recover in time to qualify for the Games.
The American made his NFL debut with the Eagles last September, but became a free agent at the end of the 2023/24 season.
Devon Allen (Getty)
Allen set a personal best of 12.84 in the 110m hurdles two years ago in New York, and that is still the third-fastest time in history.
Only world record holder Aries Merritt and reigning Olympic champion Grant Holloway are faster than Allen.
Allen will be joined by Daniel Roberts in the Grand Slam short hurdles category and they will compete in the 100m and 110m hurdles.
“Whether I’m on the field or the track, I love the competition,” Allen said. “The Grand Slam circuit gives me the opportunity to get back into racing and face some of the best athletes out there.
“I’m thankful to Michael (Johnson) and the team for getting me back on the track. I’m ready to get back to what I love and test myself against the other fastest men in the world.”
Marilydi Paulino (Getty)
Another notable name signed for Grand Slam Track is Olympic 400m champion Marilydi Paulino.
The 27-year-old clocked an Olympic record time of 48.17 to win gold at the Stade de France to move fourth on the all-time list.
Paulino also secured wins in the Diamond League Finals and Atlos New York, going undefeated throughout the season.
“For me, it means making my country proud and continuing to raise the bar,” Paulino said. “The Grand Slam circuit is a new chapter for me and I’m ready to continue to show what hard work and heart can do.
“This is a great opportunity for us as athletes to continue to shine our sport on the world stage.”
Jess Hull (Getty)
Both Allen and Paulino have signed on, along with Jess Hull, Daniel Roberts, Shameer Little, Marco Arop, Jasmine Jones, Jeremy Richards, Luis Grijalva, and Rochelle Clayton.
That means a total of 30 athletes are now part of the Grand Slam track list.
They will all be Racers, which means they compete in all four Slams and receive an annual base compensation for competing in each, as well as being eligible for full prize money.
The Grand Slam Track will feature 48 racers and Challengers. They will be assigned to compete in one of the following categories and will compete in two events during each Slam: Short Sprint (100m/200m), Short Hurdles (100m Hurdles or 110m Hurdles/100m), Long Sprint (200m/400m), Long Hurdles (400m Hurdles/400m). , short distance (800m/1500m) or long distance (3000m/5000m).
Michael Johnson (Grand Slam)
“I am proud to welcome this incredible group of athletes to the Grand Slam circuit,” said league founder and commissioner Michael Johnson.
“They’ve all proven themselves on the world’s biggest stages, but this league gives them a chance to compete against each other consistently and bring something new to the sport.
“I can’t wait to see them step up and take their performances even further. We’re continuing to add the fastest talent from around the world, and we’re so excited for fans to see what we’ve been building starting in 2025.”
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