When it comes to the Olympics and athletics, the first thing that comes to mind is, of course, Jamaican athlete Usain Bolt, but there is another name; The record he broke in the 200 meters could only be broken 12 years later by Usain Bolt.
Michael Johnson was born on September 13, 1967 in Dallas. He was the youngest of 5 siblings. Inspired by his hero Jesse Owens, he took up athletics. He is a little late in age compared to athletics; 19 years old; He was discovered at the University of Waco, Texas, where he studied. He broke the university record in the 200 meters. He was competing in both the 200 meters and 400 meters. Moreover, he was ranked first in both distances in his age category. Competing in both 200 and 400 meters was not a common thing.
Michael Duane Johnson (born September 13, 1967) is an American retired sprinter who won four Olympic gold medals and eight World Championships gold medals in the span of his career. He held the world and Olympic records in the 200 m and 400 m, as well as the world record in the indoor 400 m. He also once held the world's best time in the 300 m. Johnson is generally considered one of the greatest and most consistent sprinters in the history of track and field.
1992 Barcelona Olympics... 1991 World Champion Michael Johnson was of course the favorite of the races. He hadn't lost any races in the last 2 years. However, what was expected did not happen: Michael Johnson finished Barcelona with his only medal in the 4x400 meters. He was devastated... He worked tirelessly for 4 years, with an extraordinary program. The 1996 Atlanta Olympics went down in history as a golden signature in the history of athletics for Michael Johnson. He completed the 200 and 400 meters by breaking records. This also brought him the title of 'fastest in the world'. The sports authorities would explain the record he broke in the 200 meters as 'everyone knew he would win, but they did not expect the time of 19.32'.
His 11-year career, which included 4 Olympic Championships and 8 World Championships, also brought him the title of 'man with the golden shoes'. After retiring from sports, Michael Johnson founded a center called Performance.
He ended his career, but his struggle was not over yet. He was 50 years old and one day he couldn't get out of bed. He couldn't even take a step. Doctors said he had a stroke and lost his walking functions. The fight was beginning once again. Michael Johnson relearned how to walk and even take steps at the age of 50. So much so that it took him 10 minutes to walk 200 meters, which he completed with a record time of 19.32 seconds. This time there was no applause or record-breaking, but he hugged his target even tighter. To the amazement of the doctors, he made a full recovery after 8 months.
Now he continues to share his experiences with young people with the performance center he established.
Who is Michael Johnson?
American athlete Michael Johnson, born in 1967, made a name for himself with his superior performance in the 200, 400, and 4×400 relay races.
Johnson, who holds world records with times of 19.32 in 200 meters and 43.18 seconds in 400 meters, was on the US team that became the Olympic champion by completing the 4×400 relay race in 2 minutes 55.74 seconds at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics.
Johnson, who ran the 200 meters in 19.32 seconds and the 400 meters in 43.59 seconds at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, became the Olympic champion in these distances. Johnson, who was also a member of the US team that won the championship by completing the 4×400 meter relay race in 2 minutes 55.99 seconds at the same Olympics, increased his number of medals to 3.
Johnson, who carried his Olympic successes to the 2000 Sydney Olympics, once again took the championship podium in the 400 meters.
Johnson, who won gold medals in the 200 meters in the 1991 and 1995 World Championships, repeated the same success in the 400 meters in the 1993, 1995, 1997, and 1999 World Championships and won gold medals.
Johnson also won gold medals as a member of the USA's 4×400 relay team, which came first in the world championships held in 1993, 1995 and 1997.