Michael Johnson shares his thoughts on the US sprint scene at 2024 Pre Classic

[@Terry-du3vc]

Mike is really speaking knowledge regarding the sport. His take on the high school athlete as he pertains to the pros is spot on . Well articulated Mike !!!!

[@curtisCclarke]

In my opinion this was a good interview. I think it is great to hear Michael Johnson's opinions (especially during this part of our outdoor Track & Field season). Michael Johnson seems to be a great human being, a great fanboy of our sport of Track & Field; as well as a great ambassador to our sport of Track & Field. Michael Johnson's Track & Field Series (whatever it is going to be called) -- hopefully will start at very beginning of our outdoor Track & Field season next year (2025). His Track & Field Series should be a tremendous boost to our Track & Field sport in our United States of America.

[@oerjanlothe2369]

Really looking forward to this new and necessary development of our great sport!

[@kuramobay2445]

Johnson is right. Athletics as entertainment should be more about rivalries than fast times. Fast times happen on occasion but rivalries last for years. The media is mostly geeky young men who are addicted to statistics, they are not helping the sport.

[@MrLuis85698]

Wise comment Michael Johnson "Our Sport...., We are basically creating an atmosphere in ours sport is "only for us", it is not for anyone else.."... that impact the way the average viewers see the sport

[@graceb2uradventures686]

Great insights from a great athlete. Can’t wait to see what he’s going to do with his new league.

[@DGF2]

Strong and helpful opinions from MJ!! You don't go to a baseball game expecting to see a no-hitter or a basketball game and wait to see someone score 65 points. Promote the competition... it's universal! Also, Rhasidat Adeleke is even further under the radar than Julien Alfred, and she has a chance in that 400m.

[@Ron-k2o]

Incredible guy! I love that he's about to take the sport to the next level with a new league. ❤

[@trevorwoodley3897]

Let’s hope.

[@CityHeat-pz7qz]

Great I interview. Finally, someone expressing exactly the point I've been trying to make for years regarding the lack luster support for the sport particularly in the US .The tends to be the arrogance of exclusiveness that's not inviting to a larger fan base or novice to the sport. If we notice in Europe, there's more of a wider reception to the sport because it's really organized to be accommodating to fans period and beyond . Even the stadiums are designed as such . Not like the typical US track stadium with the hard bleachers and not awning covering the stands . Ridiculous long drawn out meets that's boring .

[@johnmurray3911]

Great message about racing instead of times.

[@darylwatson1043]

Facts well said .🎉🎉🎉 Excellent points

[@kemboichesimet1810]

Bright and great mind in our running world

[@markrnichol]

I’d love an even longer 1:1 conversation between you two. Hopefully that can happen when his track company/race/league launches…

[@chelseaclinton4535]

Michael Johnson is undoubtedly one of the best track and field analyst in the world.💯❤️❤️🇯🇲🇯🇲

[@blameitonben]

Imagine if every time an NBA player played, they had to compare themselves against Jordan's or Steph's historic night. He's totally right about selling/marketing track and field.

[@jameson6537]

Great interview!

[@GregMeghooOlympian]

Interesting perspective from MJ, respect . I agree with him.

[@ronbunn1349]

High praise for Jon’s journalism from MJ

[@sandraroberts2937]

Totally agree with him especially on time anticipation than celebrate the race

[@jessicaT12345]

Wonderful interview!

[@TonnyMchura]

I used to admire his talent when i was barely 12yrs growing up ...hes old now

[@ExileRadio]

I thought Alfred was a good call as closest to being a bit under the radar but likely to medal in Paris.

[@ebeneben6888]

❤❤❤❤❤❤🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉 meilleurs athlètes pour moi grand respect 😍😍😍😍😍😘🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳💖💝

[@michaelbfree2run883]

what was he talking about at the end? couldn' t figure it out?

[@stevewise1656]

Knighton was a young teen who was beating top pros and made the Olympic team at like 17.

[@theflyingfrisch8051]

He himself was pro tho

[@stevewise1656]

@@theflyingfrisch8051 You're right, he turned pro as a Junior in high school. That's crazy someone that young turned pro so young as a sprinter and he's only 20 now!

[@edwinokello4690]

Wa champ ageing gracefully ❤

[@gambitvisualizations8749]

Perfect response..."I don't pay attention to high school athletes"

[@OnyaMarx-ve1xe]

Alfred is likely medaling in Paris …. Spooky

[@imhereforitall9218]

She is too masculine & looks mean all the time.

[@EightFrancs]

​@@imhereforitall9218you need to grow up, child.

[@trevorwoodley3897]

@@imhereforitall9218You gotta be white…and intimidated by her gorgeous dark skin. That woman is beautiful and hot as hell and all you see is your racist fears and discomfort with Afrikan excellence.

[@vernonfrance2974]

Whatever gets the attention of the fans is what is "good for the sport." If it is interest in times run for many fans why should Johnson ignore that? In fact, how can Johnson claim it's the head to head races only? Many times the races do not pan out. Such as Gabby Thomas way underachieving against Leverone. Johnson himself proved this when he lost the World's Fastest Man Matchup against Donovan Bailey at 150m as just when Johnson got headed he pulled up claiming an injury. Bailey had a world record and won Olympic gold; actually two since Canada won the 4x100 that year. He was legit and will not be forgotten. He had already made up the stagger when Johnson "pulled his ham."

[@rickyperry1821]

'Claiming'.......Who are you saying such?

[@thechicks4395]

Makes no sense. E knighton was hs a few years ago along with k Davis and N lyles.

[@OklahomaRuns]

I honestly don't know what to make about this interview. So weird

[@curtisCclarke]

@OklahomaRuns : In my opinion it wasn't a weird interview. It is just the fact that Michael Johnson just seems to be a little opinionated some times. Also, in my opinion -- Michael Johnson is a great person, a great fan to our sport of Track & Field; as well as a great ambassador to our sport of Track & Field. Michael Johnson Track & Field Series (which hopefully will at start at very beginning of our Track & Field outdoor season next year) should be a tremendous boost to our Track & Field sport next year in the United States of America.

[@fidelbanuelos9601]

Well, he did have a stroke.

[@curtisCclarke]

@@fidelbanuelos9601: I have a correction for you. Michael Johnson suffered a Transient Ischaemic Attack (TIA), also known as a mini-stroke. This is caused by a temporary disruption in the blood supply to part of the brain that results in a lack of oxygen to the brain. Johnson's stroke was ischemic, meaning caused by a blood clot in a brain artery. Fortunately, it was not the more serious form of stroke (haemorrhagic) involving bleeding on the brain.

[@curtisCclarke]

@@fidelbanuelos9601 : it seems like my first reply to you -- wasn't saved here. I just need to correct you Fidel. Michael Johnson suffered a Transient Ischaemic Attack (TIA), also known as a mini-stroke. This is caused by a temporary disruption in the blood supply in part of the brain (which results in a lack of oxygen to the brain). Johnson's stroke was ischemic, meaning caused by a blood clot in a brain artery. Fortunately, it was not the more serious form of stroke (haemorrhagic) -- involving bleeding on the brain (TM) (R) (C) -- Microsoft Bing

[@unpasse0]

Hhmm....how many high school track & field star athletes become pro star athletes before their recruited to become college star athletes....

[@brianway4240]

I'm not convinced that his mysterious non-existent track league will actually pan out and turn into anything. . Even the XFL had actual games that literally took place. The MJ race series is imaginary.

[@esgee3829]

lettucerun ain't the best and how emasculating to hear those words from mj. can't wait for him to help level up the sport. excited for next month.

[@imhereforitall9218]

He does not focus on high school athletes is a weird response. Where do you think the pro athletes come from? An egg?

[@daashikii]

Michael Johnson’s opinions are annoying

[@esgee3829]

less so than lettucerun keyboard jockeys tho

[@kandidlykiko1609]

Although he makes great points, I don’t like how dismissive he was of HS athletes. These kids are running insane times we have never seen before. And it takes nothing from the sport to show excitement about this. Just as basketball was excited by young lebron and young Kobe. You athletes are the future and should be embraced as such. As much as MJ is a legend and visionary, his response about young athletes just came off very out of touch.

[@imhereforitall9218]

He is so intelligent. The way he was smart to not get caught with all that doping he was allegedly doing.

[@taurusx1000]

I stopped looking at sprinting,too many times your not sure who on what performance enhancer, always new ways to hide

[@robertdaniels3029]

Not sure why he is talking about Alfred. She does not run for the US. We need to be concerned about our athletes and how we can best service our programs to make the sport stronger. The world is catching up and in some instances surpassing the American system.

[@jaredbowen3527]

He was asked a question and answered it honestly

[@robertdaniels3029]

@@jaredbowen3527 He said what he wanted you to hear.

[@k.alex.4885]

He wasn't asked specifically about US athletes.

[@manvswoodbeam]

Athletes don't train under a national program.

[@herbalman6337]

Michael is 💯 % correct & all one has to do is go to any of the major 🐎horse race 🏇 & the horse who wins, lets say the tripple 👑 crown for instance, the owners & gambl- ing's never show interest in the time ran even though they do time the horse 🐎 that wins, & yes it goes into the record books 📚 but thats where it ends👌🏻; With that said, the only interest that owners & gamblers are concerned about is the win 🏇 & the horse & if that particular special 🏇horse can & does win that tripple crown 👑 then that horse goes down in the books 📚 as a once in 2 or 3 or 4 generation winner 🏆 that rarely happens, but my point is its who wins the race among the greats for that particular year, the emphasis on "TIME" is only a distraction & only takes away from the perfor- mance at hand in my imagination & opinion!!! Amen 🙏!!!