1. Michael Duane JohnsonGreatest Sprinter Of All TimeBorn:
September 13, 1967(age 47),Dallas,TX
2. Athletic BackgroundMichael Johnson is a former Baylor
bears(Alumni) who graduated in 1990.Ran for Baylor in 1987 through
1990 holding school records of six events.Greatest all-around
sprinter of all time.Only sprinter to ever be ranked #1 in the
world 1995)Only sprinter to ever break 20 seconds in the 200 and 44
seconds for the 400(1996 Olympics:19.32,1999 World
Champions:43.18).Inducted in the Track and Field Hall of Fame in
2004.
3. Athletic Background Continued... Only sprinter to win 200
& 400 at World Championship(200 in 1991 & 400 in 1993 &
1997.Also won both events in 1995 WorldChampionships along with a
third gold in the 4x400. In Atlanta he was the first sprinter in
history to win 200 and 400 at the Olympics setting a world record
in the 200 and Olympic recordin the 400. Ran the fastest 4x400
relay leg ever with a time of 42.94 with a USA world record at
2:54:29 at the 1993 World Championships.However, that record had
been erased from Track & Field history because his former
teammate Antonio Pettigrew(died by suicide) tookperformance
substances. First 400-meter runner to break 45 seconds indoors with
a time of 44.97 in the state of Nevada, then three weeks later he
broke it with atime of 44.63. In Seville,Spain he set the world
record for the 400meters with a time of 43.18 at the 199 World
Championships. Has the most medals by any athlete with a total of 9
gold medals.
4. Instrumental Influences Jesse Owens was one of Michael
Johnson's influence because Jesse Owens overcame so many hardships
as a black male sprinter. Jesse Owens would race horses at the end
of his career as a sprinter for entertainment of others who shun
him because of his ethnicbackground, according Michael Johnson in a
YouTube video called Worlds Fastest Men. Jesse Owens became one of
the world's most famous athletes at the 1936 Olympics in Berlin.
Adolf Hitler wanted to use these OlympicGames to show the
superiority of 'Aryan' people. Jesse Owens had other plans.
Friends,Family,Team(USA). I've found that the support from my
friends and familymy teamhelps me stay motivated, challengedand
inspired. The Olympics is a perfect starting point for building up
your team of support and making small steps to a
healthierlifestyle, together.
5. What Would You Do Differently? Inconsideration after
focusing on his successes, Michael Johnson wouldcertainly enjoy
life if he decided to do it differently. But unfortunately,track
and field was a great path that led him to his success These days
he is a man who really knows how to enjoy life. My life ispretty
good. Im on vacation every three weeks. In the evening I get to
sithere with this view he sweeps a hand toward the
well-manicuredgarden outside the French doors and the bay beyond
and I have a glassof wine with my wife and have friends over. Its a
great life, I love to playand I play very hard. I work hard
too.
6. Advice To Those Following His Footsteps Drink more water - I
don't like water so I mix it up and drink sparkling water as well
as flat water and set myself a daily quota. Do some exercise at
least 4 days per week - I have a busy schedule so I plan what days
I will exercise each week based on myschedule. Eat a balanced diet
and monitor your food intake weekly - I limit how often I eat
non-healthy foods, but after eating not so healthyfoods, I will
balance that with healthy ones. Eating healthy all the time is
difficult and usually leads to giving up. Balance and
constantawareness of what you're putting in your body is key. Find
an active recreational activity to get the benefit of exercise
while enjoying yourself - Mine is mountain biking. Use technology
to help track your exercise and activity - There are many products
now that help you track your calories burned,steps taken throughout
the day, etc. These tools help you with your goals and let you know
when you're slacking off.
7. Best thing About Career Set records after records (400m
& 200m) with plenty expectations. Since retiring in 2001, he
has started his own sports consulting company, provides television
commentaryand writes a regular newspaper column. Jeremy Wariner
also selected Johnson as his agent after turning pro. Johnson
thoroughly enjoys the wealth that his success has bought him. From
as young as I can remember,this is the life I always wanted. I
wanted to have the luxury of having really nice fast cars I have a
coupleof McLarens and a Porsche and he stops himself, perhaps
thinking he has said enough.
8. Greatest Challenges I work hard to improve myself as a
person as a father, as a husband, as a manager. Challenging
athletes in all around sport at the Michael Johnson Performance-
AthleticTraining Center in Dallas, TX. Michael Johnson was the
youngest of five children, his parents(a truck driver and
schoolteacher set high standards but encouraged their children to
follow their own path.My dadtaught me that the more you put into
something, the better the result. I have a lot of
similarpersonality traits to my dad. He is a hard, demanding,
no-nonsense person, my mother ismuch more compassionate. But when
shes not happy with you, whew, Id much rather bedealing with my
father at that point because she just does not hold back.