Athletics fans have accused track legend Michael Johnson of ‘black racism’ for questioning whether Nigerian sprinter Tobi Amusan’s world record was valid.
The 100-meter hurdler romped to victory in 12.12 seconds to smash Kendra Harrison’s 2016 world record by 0.08 seconds at the World Athletics Championships in Oregon Sunday.
Amusan was just one of many athletes who broke world records and set personal bests. In the women’s 100m hurdles alone, 12 of the 24 semi-finalists recorded their best times ever – and BBC pundit Johnson was instantly skeptical of the times recorded in the stadium.
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.
He said, “I don’t believe 100h are accurate”
“World Record Broken by:.08!” 12 PBs established. 5 National records are set. Cindy Sember’s quote from her PB/NR: “I (thought), I was running slow!” All the athletes were shocked [sic].
The winning time at 12.53 was first displayed by ‘Heat 2. A few seconds later, it displays 12.43. Rounding by.01 would be normal. It is not normal to round down by.01
Amusan won the title of world champion after completing the Hayward Field day in record time. However, due to the strong tailwind the time didn’t count against records.
Johnson’s mention of Amusan’s record on social media was not well received by his fans, one even accusing Johnson of “black racism”.
Michael Johnson questioned the validity of Nigerian athlete Tobi Amusan’s world record
A former track star turned BBC pundit, the BBC pundit, was accused by social media of being a ‘black racist’
Amusan annihilated Kendra Harrison’s 2016 world record by 0.08 seconds at the World Athletics Championships in Oregon
Slim Daddy was a Twitter user who wrote, “Michael Johnson, are you naturally so dumb or must you put in the effort?”
“Why not channel your energy towards recovering from your stroke, Black racist!”
Tobi Amusan has a world record and it’s impossible to stop him.
A second said that “just because it’s an American WR does not mean it was wrong”, while the third added: “Did you doubt the record when an American broke the record?”
According to one Twitter user, Johnson could have been seeking revenge for the 2000 loss of 4x100m Olympic gold medal by USA. Nigeria was awarded gold.
“The US 4x400m team with Michael Johnson was denied the Sydney 2000 Olympic gold Medal, because Antonio Pettgrew confessed to having doped at the competition,” the tweet read.
“The gold medal was ultimately awarded to the Nigerian team.” Are you able to understand his pain now?
According to one Twitter user, Johnson could have wanted revenge for the 2000 loss of 4x100m Olympic gold medal by USA. Nigeria was awarded gold.
Johnson, a BBC pundit, was skeptical about the times Amusan and others had set.
Johnson called the backlash Johnson received as unacceptable and pointed out that Johnson didn’t just question Amusan’s timing.
Johnson branded the backlash he received ‘unacceptable’ and pointed out that he did not only question Amusan’s time.
He wrote later on his Twitter account: ‘The level of dumbassery coming across my feed right now is truly staggering!
“As an analyst, it is my job to make comments. I am asking about the timing system and the times of 28 athletes, not just one athlete.
“I was accused of racism and being a racist for questioning the talents of an athlete that I admire and had predicted would win. Unacceptable. It is unacceptable.
Johnson’s stellar track career saw him win four Olympic golds, and eight World Championship silvers.