‘Michael Who?’: US Legend Once Snubbed Michael Phelps Over Usain Bolt at Olympics

Michael Phelps and Usain Bolt are undoubtedly two of the most decorated and greatest Olympians of all time. Ever since their rise to the top of their sports, their comparison has been a lightning rod for debate.

Back in 2008, Usain Bolt had broken the world record for the 200-meter sprint at the Beijing Olympics. Up until then, Johnson had held the record for twelve years.

Undoubtedly, a champion is more than their medals, and Michael Johnson’s reaction to seeing Usain break his record shows the former’s sheer love for the sport. In fact, Michael Johnson had even gone on to put Usain over Michael Phelps at that point.

Michael Johnson had words for Michael Phelps after Bolt broke his record

The debate about who the greater Olympian between Michael Phelps and Usain Bolt is has been going on for years. On one hand, Phelps has twenty-eight Olympic medals. On the other hand, Usain Bolt has eight Olympic gold medals.

Undoubtedly, both athletes are the greatest ever at their sport. However, in 2008, when Usain broke Michael Johnson’s twelve-year-long record in the 200-meter sprint, Johnson had made his decision.

When Bolt crossed the finish line having shaved off 0.02 seconds off of Johnson’s record, Johnson was ecstatic. “Oh my god,” were the first words out of Johnson’s mouth as he jumped up and down in excitement.

“I couldn’t believe that,” Johnson later said. He later called Usain “the best in the world”. Then, he compared Usain to any athlete out there, saying “there’s nobody out there”.

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“There’s no athlete that can compete with him (Usain),” Johnson said, smiling. “He is a global superstar. I mean, Michael Phelps? Michael who (?) at this point,” Johnson stated, comparing Bolt to Michael Phelps and clearly putting the Jamaican ahead.

“It’s all about Usain Bolt and deservedly so,” Johnson finished.

It took twelve years for Phelps and Bolt to meet

Despite having competed in four different Olympics over the course of twelve years, Michael Phelps and Usain Bolt had never met. In fact, even after Phelps retired post the 2016 Rio Olympics, the two never crossed paths.

Finally, the two had met at the 2017 Laureus World Sports Awards. Bolt had won the Best Male Athlete Award, while Phelps has won Comeback of the Year.

According to Bolt, meeting Phelps had been “hard because we’re both so famous”. Thus, when Phelps found himself sitting across from Usain, he thought to himself, “oh, it only took twelve years for us to meet”.

Nevertheless, the two finally did meet and interact in 2017, which was better late than never.

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