Track legend, Michael Johnson, has reacted angrily to the accusations of racism he received on social media after he questioned Tobi Amusan’s world record time in the 100m hurdles final at the just-concluded World Athletics Championships in Oregon, The PUNCH reports.
Amusan raced to victory in the 100m hurdles semi-finals, finishing with a time of 12.12secs, shattering Kendra Harrison’s 2016 world record by 0.08secs at the event.
Johnson took exception to the times recorded in the stadium, in which 12 athletes of 24 in the semi-finals recorded their best ever times.
The 54-year-old, who claimed four Olympic golds and eight World Championship golds in a stellar track career, took to Twitter after seeing how many athletes looked shocked at their own times.
“I don’t believe 100h times are correct. World record broken by .08! 12 PBs (personal bests) set. 5 National records set. And Cindy Sember quote after her PB/NR (national record) ‘I thought I was running slow!’ All athletes looked shocked [sic],” he wrote.
“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.”
But he was immediately hit with a backlash from Nigerians on Twitter.
@aisha_okay wrote, “Let’s all just start reporting his account so maybe he will lose his freedom to post any of this rubbish again.”
Mide Samuel also said he likened Johnson’s comment to that of a comedian. He wrote, “Johnson sounds like a comedian. Can I ask a friend? Congratulations Tobi Amusan. Michael Johnson is a m** man.”
@AkinwandeSavage also faulted the American legend for being envious of Amusan’s feat. “@MJGold if there is a word called ‘hatist’ that is what you are, you are not happy for her success and I wonder how you became successful. Shame on you, Michael Johnson! Amusan is the best.”
Johnson took to his Twitter page once more to react to the insults and accusations he got. He wrote, “The level of dumbassery coming across my feed right now is truly staggering!
“As a commentator my job is to comment. In questioning the times of 28 athletes (not 1 athlete) by wondering if the timing system malfunctioned.
“I was attacked, accused of racism, and of questioning the talent of an athlete I respect and predicted to win. Unacceptable. I move on.”
