Michael Johnson has been accused of ‘black racism’ after questioning Nigerian athlete Tobi Amusen’s world record-breaking time in the 100m hurdles – a World Championships where scores of athletes set personal bests.
- Michael Johnson accused of racism after questioning world record
- He thinks many records were broken, indicating problems with the watch
- Nigeria’s Tobi Amusan beats Kendra Harrison in the 100m hurdles in 2016.
- Amusen broke the previous record by 0.08 seconds at the World Athletics Championships
- Johnson pointed out that he questioned the times of other runners besides Amusen’s
Track legend Michael Johnson has been accused of ‘black racism’ after questioning the validity of Nigerian fast bowler Tobi Amusen’s world record.
The 100-meter hurdler broke Kendra Harrison’s 2016 world record by 0.08 seconds at the World Athletics Championships in Oregon on Sunday.
BBC pundit Johnson, who has won four Olympic golds and eight world championships on the star track, was skeptical about the times of Amusen and others.
‘I don’t believe 100 hours is right. World record broken in .08! 12 PBs were set. Has created 5 national records. And Cindy Semper quoted after her PB/NR ‘I ran slow!’ All the athletes were shocked [sic].
‘Heat 2 showed us the first winning time of 12.53. After few seconds it shows 12.43. Rounding down by .01 is normal. .10 No.’
Amusen became world champion at Hayward Field with an even faster time.
Johnson was accused of racism for casting doubt on the accuracy of Amusen’s world record time of 12.12 seconds.
Michael Johnson has questioned the validity of Nigerian athlete Tobi Amusen’s world record
BBC pundit and ex-drag star accused of ‘black racism’ on social media
Amusen destroyed Kendra Harrison’s 2016 world record by 0.08 seconds at the World Athletics Championships in Oregon.
One Twitter user responded to Johnson’s comments, writing: ‘Michael Johnson are you naturally this dumb or do you have to try?
‘Why don’t you put your energy into recovering from your stroke, black racist!
‘Toby Amusen is a world record holder and there’s nothing you can do about that.’
Another said: ‘Just because there was no American WR doesn’t mean the timing was wrong,’ while another added: ‘Did you question the record when the American broke it?’
One Twitter user suggested that Johnson may have sought revenge after the United States stripped him of the 4x100m Olympic title in 2000 and Nigeria won the gold instead.
The U.S. 4×400-meter team featuring Michael Johnson was stripped of its Sydney 2000 Olympic gold medal after Antonio Pettigrew admitted to doping during the race.
In the end, the Nigerian team was awarded the gold medal. Do you understand his bitterness now?’
One Twitter user suggested that Johnson may have sought revenge after the United States stripped him of the 4x100m Olympic title in 2000 and Nigeria won the gold instead.
BBC pundit Johnson was skeptical about the timing of Amusen and other athletes
Johnson labeled the backlash he received ‘unacceptable’ and pointed out that he wasn’t just questioning Amusen’s timing.
Johnson branded the backlash he received ‘unacceptable’ and pointed out that he wasn’t just questioning Amusen’s timing.
He later wrote on his Twitter account: ‘The level of dumbassery coming through my feed right now is truly shocking!
‘My job as a commentator is to comment. 28 athletes (1 non-athlete) questioned whether there was a time system error.
‘I was attacked, accused of racism and predicted to win for questioning the ability of an athlete I respected. Unacceptable. I’m going.’
Johnson won four Olympic golds and eight World Championship golds in a stellar career
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