The era of athletics keeps changing, with new talents coming to the forefront. For over a decade, Usain Bolt was the undisputed dominator of the track and field. However, stars like Allyson Felix, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, and Elaine Thompson-Herah are some of the incredible names in the business currently.
Regardless, none of the above (Usain excluded) hold significance in the world of athletics like legendary sprinter Michael Johnson.
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Recently, Michael spoke about the 400-meters race, his specialty, and how it is the hardest competition in athletics. Notably, he reminded all of how his consistency in this particular race is still unmatched.
Michael Johnson gives his take on the 400-meters race
The legendary sprinter obliterated the long-standing world record that stood for ten years, created by Butch Reynolds. He set a time of 43.18 seconds, which stood for many years as the best time in the 400-meters race. However, after 17 years, South African athlete Wayde van Niekerk smashed the record at the 2016 Rio Olympics by setting a time of 43.03.
Undoubtedly, his performances attracted a lot of plaudits. Moreover, he created the record by running from the outside lane, which holds a significant disadvantage to the sprinter.
Despite that incredible performance by Wayde, Johnson claims he is the most consistent sprinter of his generation. Does he have a case?
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Is Johnson the best in 400-meters?
Making a case for Johnson is easy. The sprinter dominated the tracks and won four gold medals in the Olympic Games. Those were two gold medals during the 1996 Atlanta Olympics and the two at the 2000 Sydney Olympics in the 400-meters race. Another interesting fact is that he won four consecutive gold medals in the World Championships competitions from 1993 Stuttgart to 1999 Seville.
Undoubtedly, Johnson’s records are astonishing. From 1992 to 2000, he ran consistently below the 44-second mark, something no athlete has done to date.
1992 | 43.98 | London (GBR) | 10 JUL 1992 |
1993 | 43.65 | Gottlieb-Daimler Stadion, Stuttgart (GER) | 17 AUG 1993 |
1994 | 43.90 | Madrid (ESP) | 06 SEP 1994 |
1995 | 43.39 | Ullevi Stadium, G?teborg (SWE) | 09 AUG 1995 |
1996 | 43.44 | Atlanta, GA (USA) | 19 JUN 1996 |
1997 | 43.75 | Waco, TX (USA) | 19 APR 1997 |
1998 | 43.68 | Z?rich (SUI) | 12 AUG 1998 |
1999 | 43.18 | La Cartuja, Sevilla (ESP) | 26 AUG 1999 |
2000 | 43.68 | Sacramento, CA (USA) | 16 JUL 2000 |
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Even though Van Niekerk is the current world-record holder, his numbers are different from Johnson’s stats. Out of the eight races he competed in, he only went below the 44-second mark three times.
This event is so hard, 3 of these 4 athletes got it right on the day but their next fastest times aren’t even close. Any 400 sprinter will tell you the hardest thing is consistency due to the length of this sprint creating more room for error. pic.twitter.com/1yK97sQJT3
— Michael Johnson (@MJGold) November 15, 2021
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Surely, to maintain similar consistency and reach Johnson’s level will take a lot of determination and resolve. Who do you think has what it takes to match the feats of the incredible Johnson?
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