Before Usain Bolt captivated the world with his unprecedented speed and exuberant personality, Michael Johnson held claim to one of the most breathtaking performances on the track at the Olympic Games.
The Team USA star earned two gold medals at Atlanta 1996, becoming the first male athlete to win both the 200m and 400m at the same Olympics.
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Johnson became the first man to complete the Olympic ‘Golden Double’ after winning the 200m and 400m titles at Atlanta 1996Credit: Getty
He did this while wearing gold shoes – a bold statement of confidence and a symbol of Johnson’s quest for Olympic glory.
Thankfully the move did not backfire and he was able to stand on the podium with gold around his neck, as well as on his feet.
Johnson now works as a pundit for the BBC and is often seen in the studio during the Olympic Games. But it wasn’t too long ago that he was tearing up the track himself.
Ahead of the Paris 2024 Games – which is LIVE on talkSPORT in July – we take a look back on the Olympic career of one of history’s greatest athletes.
Overcoming disaster at Barcelona 1992
Johnson was a rising track and field star heading into the Barcelona 1992 Olympic Games, having already earned his first 200m world title a year prior.
Expectations were high for the 24-year-old’s Olympic debut, but he contracted food poisoning just two weeks before the Games.
The lingering effects of the illness sapped Johnson of his strength and impacted his performance in Spain.
The Americana finished sixth in his 200m semi-final, failing to reach the final. The only positive was a gold medal in the 4x400m relay.
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Things didn’t all go Johnson’s way at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, but he still came away with gold in the 4x400m relay as part of Team USACredit: Getty
Johnson quickly bounced back from the disappointment, though, clinching a 400m world title in 1993. He followed this up with his first 200m and 400m at the 1995 World Athletics Championships.
Doing the double at the World Championships was a remarkable feat, but Johnson really wanted to achieve it at the Olympic Games. Fortunately, Atlanta 1996 was only around the corner.
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The man with the golden shoes
Johnson was already making headlines before he even started competing at Atlanta 1996.
Nike, his sponsor, had crafted a pair of gold running spikes for him. Now 28, he became known as ‘The Man With the Golden Shoes’ and expectations rose.
The 400m was the first of Johnson’s events in Atlanta and he won it in a blistering 43.49 seconds.
This time not only secured him the gold medal but also set a new Olympic record, solidifying his status as the fastest 400m runner in history at that time.
Just days later, Johnson returned to the track for the 200m. He faced a strong field of sprinters, including Namibia’s Frankie Fredericks, who had triumphed in a battle between the pair just a few weeks beforehand.
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Johnson poses next to his new world record time of 19.32 seconds in the men’s 200m at the Atlanta 1996 OlympicsCredit: Getty
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Johnson and his golden running shoes became one of the most iconic images in Olympics historyCredit: Getty
But, once again, Johnson’s performance was nothing short of spectacular. He exploded out of the blocks and, by the time he reached the home straight, it was clear he was going to win.
Johnson crossed the finish line in 19.32 seconds, shattering his own world record and winning the gold medal by a significant margin.
He had even run the second half in an unbelievable time of 9.2 seconds – a third of a second faster than Bolt’s current 100m world record of 9.58.
Johnson actually suffered a hamstring injury during this remarkable run, ruling him out of the 4x400m and the possibility of a third gold medal.
But his success in the 200m and 400m meant his gold shoes became one of the most enduring images of the Atlanta 1996 Olympic Games.
Johnson’s long-lasting legacy
Johnson’s success in track and field continued with two more 400m world titles before the Sydney 2000 Olympics.
Then aged 33, Johnson was desperate to defend both his 200m and 400m title, but he failed to qualify for the shorter distance after suffering an injury during US trials.
He was still successful in the 400m, however, earning his fourth Olympic gold medal.
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Johnson was back at Sydney 2000 with a fresh new pair of golden Nike shoes – and he enjoyed another glittering Olympics with gold in the men’s 400mCredit: Getty
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Bolt emulated Johnson by wearing golden running spikes for the Beijing Olympics, where he won gold in the 100m and 200m eventsCredit: Getty
It took another 12 years before Johnson’s 200m world record, set at Atlanta 1996, was broken. Only Bolt has been capable of running faster than Johnson, winning the 200m final at the Beijing Olympic Games in 19.30 seconds.
Johnson’s performance in Atlanta remained the highlight of his career. He retired from competitive athletics in 2001, leaving behind a legacy of records and unforgettable moments.
His dominance in both the 200m and 400m distances showcased his versatility and set a new standard in track and field athletics.
Johnson’s influence on the sport is even still felt today, allowing athletes such as Bolt to build on the foundation that the sprinting legend helped establish.
Meanwhile, his post-retirement role as a pundit and commentator allows him to share his insights and passion for the sport, influencing new generations of athletes and fans alike.
The Olympics are on talkSPORT this summer, and you can tune in via our free online streaming service at talkSPORT.com
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