Nigerians have bashed former American sprinter Michael Johnson after he questioned the record-breaking stint of athlete Tobi Amusan at the World Athletic Championship.
OduNews had earlier reported that Amusan became the first Nigerian athlete to win a gold medal in the World Athletics Championship when she stormed to victory in the women’s 100m hurdles in Oregon on Sunday within 12.06 seconds.
Amusan had earlier broken the world record in the semi-finals, where she clocked 12.12sec.
The American sprinter Michael Johnson, who won four Olympic gold medals during his decorated career, cast doubt on the legitimacy of the times being recorded in the 100m hurdles, suggesting something was amiss.
“I don’t believe 100h times are correct. World record was broken by .08!” Johnson tweeted. “Twelve PBs set. Five national records set. And Cindy Sember quote after her PB/NR: ‘I thought I was running slow!’ All athletes looked shocked.
“Heat 2 we were first shown winning time of 12.53. Few seconds later it shows 12.43. Rounding down by .01 is normal. .10 is not.”
I don’t believe 100h times are correct. World record broken by .08! 12 PBs set. 5 National records set. And Cindy Sember quote after her PB/NR “I throughly I was running slow!” All athletes looked shocked.
— Michael Johnson (@MJGold) July 25, 2022
Heat 2 we were first shown winning time of 12.53. Few seconds later it shows 12.43. Rounding down by .01 is normal. .10 is not.
— Michael Johnson (@MJGold) July 25, 2022
Johnson’s comments have since sparked angry reactions from a cross-section of Nigerians on Twitter.
See some reactions below:
Michael Johnson Are you naturally this dumb or do you have to put in effort? Why don't you channel your energy to recovering from your stroke you Black racist! Toby Amusan is a world record holder and there's nothing you can do about that. https://t.co/q7bDB9tZOQ
— Slim Daddy ???? (@kvngs_man) July 25, 2022
Michael Johnson Are you naturally this dumb or do you have to put in effort? Why don't you channel your energy to recovering from your stroke you Black racist! Toby Amusan is a world record holder and there's nothing you can do about that. https://t.co/q7bDB9tZOQ
— Slim Daddy ???? (@kvngs_man) July 25, 2022
Name: Michael Johnson eleribu.
Nickname: Uncle Ruckus
Job occupation: hating. Just hate blacks enough to plant discord among them
Legacy: idiocy, coonery. More coonery, more idiocy.
Skill: adept in hating.
Alright, Micoon, we hear you. https://t.co/7kHXOZ0FaY
— I May Destroy You (@PaulxChuks) July 25, 2022
Next time Michael Johnson hears Ni, he won't wait to hear the rest before running as fast as he did at Atlanta 96. ????
— Babanla (@biolakazeem) July 25, 2022
Michael Jackson I know, Michael Jordan i know but Michael Johnson I know not.
You're the least most popular MJ even with your records https://t.co/6ysG1NRH87— Larry Ket (@Pokson_Prints) July 25, 2022
We blacks are not all one. Tariq passed that massage the last time; Michael Johnson is passing the same message again.
Africans are Africans & Black Americans are Black Americans!
He didn't see the need to question the timing during Sydney's but saw the need now says a lot. https://t.co/3P9jQSBNuQ
— Nwanyi Isuochi (@D_butterflie) July 25, 2022
Michael Johnson was today year old when he realized no one,whether blue tick or not is not is allowed to drag a Nigerian except you are a Nigerian. https://t.co/vIZbcOprbS
— UNCLE MIKE (@michael_asah) July 25, 2022
The US 4x400m team that had Michael Johnson was stripped of the Sydney 2000 Olympic gold medal because Antonio Pettigrew confessed that he doped during the competition. The Nigerian team was eventually awarded the gold medal.
Do you understand his bitterness now? https://t.co/mN8Z3tosQE pic.twitter.com/scG90ywXrB
— Ancestor ???? (@_deoluwaa) July 25, 2022
Michael Johnson failed to realize how strong and fierce Nigerians are when it comes to global competitions. Black against black success, but complains of racism. Congratulations baby girl
— 2klyn???? (@official2klyn) July 25, 2022
Top MJs in History
1. Mercy Johnson
2. Michael Jackson
3. Michael Jordan
4. Miss Jackson from the OutKast song
5. Milla Jovovich
6. Marc Jacobs
7. Mick Jagger
8. Magic Johnson
–
–
749. Michael Johnson— Imoh (@ImohUmoren) July 25, 2022
Michael Johnson thinks Black Excellence is reserved for only Black Americans. Wonder if his response would have been same if she was American.
He forgot Africa is the Root. But my girl no disappoint. She came back with another banger WR in the final.#ThankYouTobi
Tobi Amusan. pic.twitter.com/1uApG5cBmm— Chibo (@Chibo_01) July 25, 2022
