Michael Johnson claimed he’d beat Usain Bolt: ‘I win every day’

Michael Johnson and Denise Lewis discuss Gabby Thomas

We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info

Michael Johnson is part of the BBC’s Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games punditry team this year, and has given his analysis in typically honest terms. He slammed Team USA’s men’s 4x100m relay team after their disastrous round one exit. They finished sixth in the round one heat, behind China, Canada, Italy, Germany and Ghana, with a time of 38.10 seconds – the eighth-fastest time among the 16 teams.

Johnson, who has won four Olympic golds, reacted to the shock exit.

He said “Absolutely I’d go that far, it’s embarrassing and ridiculous, we’ve seen it for so many years, so much talent and depth but not getting the baton round.

“Why aren’t they practising? That much talent and depth. They haven’t won a 4x 100m relay since 2000, I was still competing then, that’s ridiculous! They haven’t won any sprint medals. It’s a big problem.”

Team USA certainly were not accustomed to failure when Johnson was in his prime.

The American goes down as one of the greatest athletes ever, and believes he would have even beaten the current 100m and 200m record holder Usain Bolt had they raced in the same generation.

He made the claim in July 2016, saying: “I win that race every day. Every time we line up, I win that race, guaranteed.”

The American sprinter’s record time of 19.32 seconds in the 200m race, set at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, stood for 12 years before Bolt ran a 19.30 to win gold in Beijing.

Bolt then smashed his own record, running a 19.19 seconds time at the 2009 World Championships in Berlin.

Johnson also saw his 400m record beaten in Rio 2016, as South African Wayde van Niekerk knocked 0.15 seconds off the American’s 43.18.

Bolt ran the 100m in record time at the 2009 World Championships, timed at 9.58 seconds.

Following the race, Johnson said Bolt could run even faster if he trained hard enough.

He said following the race: “Bolt could absolutely run faster, but it would take a tremendous commitment on his part to do a complete overhaul of his technique.

“He could probably run 9.4 seconds. But he would have to do some major training and adjustments in the way that he runs.”

When Bolt announced he was hanging up his running spikes in 2019, Johnson gave his advice on what the eight time Olympic champion should do.

He urged Bolt to “find a passion”, and suggested business could be his new venture.

DON’T MISSGuy Verhofstadt bizarrely brags Brussels is winning Olympic Games [INSIGHT]
‘It was a total embarrassment!’ Carl Lewis lets rip at Team USA [ANALYSIS]
Michael Johnson slams US system which puts China ahead of USA in table [INSIGHT]

Johnson said: “I would advise anyone, whether it’s Usain Bolt or any other athlete about what to do after retiring — I think it’s about finding a passion.”

Johnson is famous for his champion’s mindset, but he appeared to clash with Piers Morgan last week after the journalist branded silver and bronze medals a “failure”.

Piers posted a screenshot of Johnson’s bio which outlined he had won “zero silver and zero bronze” medals.

But Johnson then posted a tweet which seemed to be a veiled swipe at the former Good Morning Britain host.

The American said: “Putting this to rest! Winning ANY Olympic medal is incredible. I was always favoured for gold so silver and bronze would be disappointing.

“But if I were a projected finalist, bronze is a win! Don’t listen to people whose only sport is stirring up s***. Regardless how many followers they have.”

Source: Read Full Article