"Black racist like you": Michael Johnson was accused of racism - and attacked back

The legendary former sprinter wondered about the results achieved in the 100m hurdles race in which the Nigerian Tobi Amosen set a world record and had a hard time in the net

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07/26/2022

Tuesday, July 26, 2022, 07:21

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Tikteknu: today's summary clip, 25.7 (Sport1)

One of the greatest Olympic athletes of all time, Michael Johnson, is at the center of a scandal that he apparently did not expect.

The former four-time gold medalist for the United States and long-time world record holder in the 200m and 400m is accused of racism after comments from his side about the credibility of the world record set by Nigerian Tobi Amosen in the 100m hurdles at the World Athletics Championships on Sunday.

Amosen clocked 12.12 seconds, bettering Kendra Harrison's 2016 record by 8 hundredths.

The 54-year-old Johnson, who himself won the world championship eight times in the past, wrote on his Twitter account: "I can't believe the time set in the 100-meter hurdles was accurate. A world record that was broken by 8 hundredths, 12 personal records, 5 national records. In addition, Cindy Amber wrote herself after her record that she felt like she was running slow. All the runners looked shocked."

He was accused of racism and did not remain guilty.

Johnson today (Photo: GettyImages, Buda Mendes)

Athletics fans across the network did not like Johnson's statement, which received quite a few critical responses.

The African-American sprinter was accused of racism, with some of the comments also including vicious jabs that mentioned the stroke he had suffered.

"Why don't you channel the energy to recover from the stroke you black racist. Tobi Amosen is the world record holder and there is nothing you can do about it."

Another prominent response reads: "The fact that it is not a world record holder from the United States does not mean that the time is not accurate, have you ever doubted the result when an American sprinter broke a record?".

Johnson did not like, to say the least, the harsh reactions he received and later tweeted again: "The level of stupidity here is simply amazing. As a commentator, my job is to say my opinion. The questioning about the times of 28 participants points to the systemic way in which everything works."

The legendary sprinter continued: "I was attacked. I was accused of racism and doubting the talent of a runner I respect and expected her to win. This is unacceptable.

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