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Johnson has further described the period between 2002 and 2003 as “one of the worst eras” for sprinting.
American sprint legend Michael Johnson has heaped praise on the standards that have been set by modern sprinters following an impressive stat released by World Athletics.
Athletics governing body revealed a statistic showing the increasing number of sprinters that have been completing a 200m race in sub-20 seconds, as the graph showed a promising increase in the category’s competitiveness.
In 2023, 20 men completed the race in under 20 seconds, a stark contrast to 20 years ago, when no athlete managed to run a 200m race below that time.
Writing on his X - formerly Twitter - page, Johnson described the period between 2002 and 2003 as “one of the worst eras” for sprinting.
Johnson remarked: “2002-2003 had to be one of the worst eras for sprinting!”
The four-time Olympic champion revealed that the standards of competition were equally low in the 100m category as well.
“Not only no sub 20. 100m was constantly 9.9 and 400m no one was below 44 between 2000 and 2005.”
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08:00 - 13.12.2023
ATHLETICS American legend Michael Johnson left puzzled by World Athletics’ Awards decision
Johnson is puzzled by the decision to name six different individuals as World Athletes of the Year for the first time in history.
Johnson revealed that it was “great” to see the 200m standards increase to such a level.
“Great to see men’s 200m at this level,” he wrote.
Johnson appeared to agree with Usain Bolt, who recently admitted that the 19.19 record he set in the 200m category at the Beijing Olympics in 2008, was more likely to be broken quicker than the 100m one.
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18:00 - 30.12.2023
ATHELTICS How a random bet paved way for Usain Bolt to become an 100m sprint legend
Bolt has gone on to be widely considered the greatest sprinter of all time, but he almost ever could have become an 100 meter specialist were it not for a random bet with his coach and masseuse in 2007.
"It's a great title," Bolt told World Athletics' Inside Track. "It's something that I enjoy even if I say it's not the most important – it's always the (medals), but it's a great title to have."
"It's something I enjoy knowing."
So which record will go first? "Not worried about none of them," Bolt laughed.
"I really don't know, I think the 100m's going to be harder (to break) because it's quicker, and if you make a mistake during the race, you're not going to get it.
"It's a lot more technical so I think maybe the 100m's going to go last."
United States sprinter Noah Lyles, the current world champion in both the 100m and 200m events, targeted Bolt's 200m 19.19 in 2023 but did not achieve his goal. The American's 19.31 national record remains the third-fastest time ever.
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