Michael Johnson

Biography

Michael Johnson ran upright when everyone else leaned forward, wore golden shoes when everyone else wore white, and destroyed fields when everyone else competed. His 200m world record of 19.32 at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics — where he became the first man to win the 200/400 double — stood for 12 years. His 400m record of 43.18 lasted 17 years. The man with the most distinctive running style in sprinting history made the one-lap race his personal property, winning 4 World Championship 400m golds and dominating with a serenity that bordered on contempt for the competition.

Career Highlights

• 3 individual Olympic golds
• 4 World Championship golds
• 200m/400m double at 1996 Atlanta
• 200m WR 19.32 stood 12 years
• 400m WR 43.18 stood 17 years

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