1. Michael Johnson
“Greatest Sprinter of all Time”

2. Athletic Background
●Michael 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 World
Championships 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 record
in 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.
● 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 a
time 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 ethnic
background, according Michael Johnson in a YouTube video called “Worlds Fastest Men.”
● Father and Mother were also a factor.
● Jesse Owens became one of the world's most famous athletes at the 1936 Olympics in Berlin. Adolf Hitler wanted to use these Olympic
Games to show the superiority of 'Aryan' people. Jesse Owens had other plans.

5. What would you do differently?
● Inconsideration after focusing on his successes, Michael Johnson would
certainly 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 is
pretty good. I’m on vacation every three weeks. In the evening I get to sit
here with this view” – he sweeps a hand toward the well-manicured
garden outside the French doors and the bay beyond – “and I have a glass
of wine with my wife and have friends over. It’s a great life, I love to play
and I play very hard. I work hard too.

6. Source
● http://www.baylorbears.com/sports/c-track/mtt/michael_johnson_65873.html
● http://www.clevelandseniors.com/forever/photoquiz58.htm
● http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/olympics/athletics/9378922/Michael-
Johnson-For-eight-years-I-was-a-five-time-gold-medallist.-Then-it-was-four-
time.-Its-not-the-same.html