'I'm proud': Aussie golden girl Jessica Hull signs with cashed-up new athletics competition set to change the sport

Olympic silver medallist Jessica Hull has become the first Australian to sign with new professional track league Grand Slam Track, joining the innovative competition launched by legendary US sprinter Michael Johnson.

Grand Slam Track, the competition beginning next year that will host four grand slams between April and September, announced Hull as one of 10 new signings on Wednesday morning (AEDT).

Each Grand Slam Track athlete will compete in two events per slam with Hull set to race in the 800m and 1500m, putting herself in the mix to win up to US$100,000 (A$150,000) at each slam.

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The league launched by Johnson, a four-time Olympic gold medallist, is set to deliver the highest pool of prizemoney per meet in the history of athletics, while each athlete will also receive an annual base compensation.

Hull produced a history-making 1500m run at the Paris Olympics in August, becoming the first Australian distance runner to win an Olympic medal on the track since Ralph Doubell captured gold in Mexico City in 1968.

"I've always loved racing on the biggest stages, and Grand Slam Track feels like a perfect fit for where I am in my career," Hull said.

"I'm looking forward to pushing my limits and seeing how far I can go alongside some amazing competitors. I'm proud and excited to represent Australia in this league, and look forward to seeing our fans at all four slams in 2025."

The 10 athletes announced as Grand Slam Track recruits on Wednesday morning (AEDT) were Hull, Marileidy Paulino, Daniel Roberts, Shamier Little, Marco Arop, Devon Allen, Jasmine Jones, Jereem Richards, Luis Grijalva and Rushell Clayton.

Each of them will compete in one of 12 event groups: the 100m and 200m sprints; 100m hurdles (women)/110m hurdles (men) and 100m sprint; 200m and 400m sprints; 400m hurdles and 400m sprint; 800m and 1500m; or 3000m and 5000m.

Competing in "head-to-head" competition, as the league has been marketed, athletes will accrue points tied to their finishing position in each event, and will earn prizemoney based on their ranking.

Grand Slam Track athletes will be allowed to also contest other athletics leagues, including the Diamond League.

Johnson insists his competition is not a "rebel league", rather a league that will "support the rest of the track ecosystem in a positive way", as the official Grand Slam Track website notes.

Johnson wants the stars of track to be competing more regularly and maximising their financial potential, and is passionate about making the sport more appealing to follow.

One of the 2025 slams will be held in Los Angeles, while three other host cities — one US city and two international cities — will be announced as hosts in the coming months.

"I'm proud to welcome this incredible group of athletes to Grand Slam Track," Johnson said.

"They've all proven themselves on the world's biggest stages, but this league gives them a chance to face each other consistently and bring something new to the sport. I can't wait to see how they step up and take their performances even further.

"We continue to add the fastest talent from all over the world, and we're so excited for fans to see what we've built, starting in 2025."