Michael Johnson is accused of ‘black racism’ after questioning the time of Nigerian athlete Tobi Amusan when she broke the world record in the 100m hurdles – as huge numbers of athletes set personal bests at the World Championships
- Michael Johnson has been accused of racism after questioning a world record
- He thinks too many records have been broken, suggesting problems with the clock
- Tobi Amusan from Nigeria crushed Kendra Harrison’s time in the 100m hurdles in 2016
- Amusan beats the previous record by 0.08 seconds at the World Athletics Championships
- Johnson pointed out that in addition to Amusan’s times, he also questioned the times of other runners
Athletics fans have accused track legend Michael Johnson of ‘black racism’ as he questioned whether Nigerian sprinter Tobi Amusan’s world record was valid.
The 100-meter hurdler ran to victory in 12.12 seconds, beating Kendra Harrison’s 2016 world record by 0.08 seconds at the World Championships in Athletics in Oregon Sunday.
Amusan was one of a succession of athletes who broke world records or their own personal best times. In the women’s 100m hurdles alone, 12 of the 24 semifinalists posted their best times ever – and BBC pundit Johnson was immediately skeptical of the times recorded at the stadium.
The 54-year-old, who has won four Olympic golds and eight World Cup golds in a stellar track career, took to Twitter after seeing how many athletes looked shocked about their own times.
“I don’t believe 100 hours is correct,” he wrote.
‘World record broken with 0.08! 12 PBs set. 5 National records set. And Cindy Sember quotes after her PB/NR ‘I (thought) I walked slowly!’ All athletes looked shocked [sic].
‘Heat 2 was the first time we saw a winning time of 12.53. A few seconds later it shows 12.43. Rounding down to 0.01 is normal. .10 not.’
Later in the day, Amusan became World Champion in an even faster time at Hayward Field, but the time did not count towards records due to a strong tailwind.
But fans on social media were not happy with Johnson for naming Amusan’s world record, with someone accusing him of “black racism.”
The Twitter user, who calls himself Slim Daddy, wrote: ‘Michael Johnson are you naturally stupid or do you have to put in the effort?
‘Why don’t you focus your energy on recovering from your stroke, black supremacist!
“Tobi Amusan is a world record holder and there’s nothing you can do about that.”
Michael Johnson doubted the validity of Nigerian athlete Tobi Amusan’s world record
The BBC pundit and former track star was accused of ‘black racism’ on social media
Amusan smashed Kendra Harrison’s 2016 world record by 0.08 seconds at the Oregon World Championships in Athletics
Another said, ‘Just because it’s not an American WR doesn’t mean the times weren’t right’, while one added, ‘Did you doubt the record when an American broke the record?’
A Twitter user claimed that Johnson may have been seeking revenge after the US lost the 4x100m Olympic title in 2000 and Nigeria took gold instead.
“The US 4x400m team that had Michael Johnson lost the 2000 Sydney Olympic gold medal because Antonio Pippeling confessed to doping during the competition,” the tweet read.
“The Nigerian team finally got the gold medal. Do you understand his bitterness now?’
A Twitter user claimed Johnson may have been seeking revenge after the US lost the 4x100m Olympic title in 2000 and Nigeria took gold instead
Athletic fans have lashed out at Johnson for casting doubt on the accuracy of Amusan’s time
Johnson, who was also labeled “pathetic,” labeled the response he received as “unacceptable,” pointing out that he wasn’t just questioning Amusan’s time.
He later wrote on his Twitter account: ‘The level of stupidity my feed is now encountering is truly staggering!
‘As a commentator, my job is to comment. When questioning the times of 28 athletes (not 1 athlete) by wondering if the timing system was not working properly.
“I was attacked, accused of racism and questioning the talent of an athlete I respect and predicted would win. unacceptable. I am going on.’
Johnson labeled the response he received “unacceptable,” pointing out that he wasn’t just questioning Amusan’s time
Johnson has won four Olympic golds and eight World Cup golds in an amazing track career