World’s Fastest Man | Donovan Bailey & Michael Johnson’s 150m Clash

When Donovan Bailey and Michael Johnson stepped onto a modified track in Toronto on June 1, 1997, the scene was more akin to a heavyweight boxing clash than a track and field meet.
The two Olympic champions were among the most famous athletes in the world and the winner of this unprecedented race would finally be crowned the undisputed world's fastest man.
Written & Narrated by: Joseph Casciaro (@JosephCasciaro | Twitter)
Produced & Edited by: Stephen Addante @stephenaddante | Instagram)
Thumbnail Design by: Justin Shipley (@shipleysportstudio | Instagram)
Courtesy List: controlc.com/3...
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#donovanbailey #michaeljohnson #olympics

[@cooldudes6025]

I remember watching this on tv! TheScore team continues to prove its superb quality - keep it up ❤

[@JH-gf4cm]

Same and agreed. Thanks to the Score! Loving the content.

[@justineebourgeois3420]

Donovan Bailey restored glory to Canada!

[@Akumagits]

as soon as bob costas opened his mouth about the the 200m time being divided by two, to make the world's fastest man. i realized how deeply engrained american exceptionalism is. he should have never uttered those words.

[@samantharay6098]

what a dumb comment

[@Gods7000YearTimeline-space]

The "animosity" was only the big mouths of Johnson, his team, and of course the American schmedia. Even with the concessions that Bailey gifted to Johnson, the race wasn't even close well before Johnson "injured" himself. I was there. I saw it.

[@msolec2000]

There wasn't any dispute of world's fastest man. That has always been the 100m champion.

[@reggiecleveland]

silly unless an American doesn't win the 100 then it is the 200 winner (if American) or leading rusher in the NFL.

[@ThriveAliveJoshua]

I knew about them but didn't know about this unsanctioned race. Thanks for sharing.

[@bonanimathambo8721]

I predicted before that race that whoever was behind would fake an injury.

[@Brian-uq4wu]

You can't know Bailey would have done the same

[@nbapbaupdate8338]

Donovan Bailey 💪🔥💪

[@holeindanssock156]

I played with baileys nephews on Hiawatha street in Toronto Canada in the 90s.

[@buckdacious]

I remebering being 10 and watching the Atlanta games with my parents. Watching both of them breaking World records was crazy! My dad kept saying they had to race and they did....boy he was pissed at Mike 😂😂😂 P.s. Donovan false started his gold medal, surprising nobody talks about it. My dad caught it off the back qnd almost 30 years later nobody has said nothing, guess its time for a video 😂😂

[@Brian-uq4wu]

P.S - You're still salty to this day

[@24theMoney]

The 80s and 90s were the best. Always something interesting to look forward to.

[@QueyP.Newton209]

This reminded me of the failure of DAVE vs DAN in ‘92… At least these 2 actually made it to the track 😂🤷🏽‍♂️

[@nothgiel84]

Dividing the 200m by half n comparing it to a 100m race is stupid...one has a running start..the other dead start...

[@syncmonism]

Bailey had the fastest recorded top speed ever until Usain Bolt years later, and Bailey clearly had the pace advantage over Johnson before Johnson allegedly suffered any injury in that 150 metre race. If Johnson had a higher top speed, he would have had a good argument to re-define who gets to be called "world's fastest man", but he wasn't even that close to Bailey in terms of his best top speed.

[@nathanielanderson8132]

I knew Donovan was going to win.

[@syncmonism]

He had a significantly higher top speed than Johnson. I'm not even sure why Johnson even thought he had a chance. Johnson clearly had a disadvantage in acceleration and top speed before he pulled up with an alleged injury in that 150 metre race as well, but Johnson's speed was actually still excellent and not that far behind Bailey either, which strongly suggests that he was not suffering from any issues with his leg muscle, at least not until shortly before he slowed down. Johnson's best hope would have been for Bailey to get a cramp or muscle strain during the race.

[@Kingz73]

IF MJ truly "Pulled his quad" how was he able to immediatley squat for seconds on end with no grimacing in pain? There's your answer to ANYONE who believes he "pulled his quad" Out of the blocks & 4-5 seconds into the race, you could see MJ look to his left & see DB already ahead & knew he'd NEVER catch the power sprinter. MJ was simply a coward who couldn't lose fair & square with honour. 💯

[@vaughnchauncy8360]

Yeah chuck they juice like a you know what.sha carri is cycling just like the rest preppi g the paris games lets not be naive

[@shree2ann]

Bob Costos did not understand what he was saying

[@thecompletetruth5824]

I felt johnson would have won period

[@amyparker9816]

no

[@chenzenzo]

Dude, you're obviously Canadian. Let's not pretend that worlds fastest person isn't a West African or Jamaica. ❤

[@JimChap]

West African? Has there ever been a West African champion sprinter?

[@msolec2000]

World's fastest man _at the time_.

[@wade2bosh]

Donovan is Canadian

[@DGF2]

​@@wade2bosh Jamaican-born!

[@syncmonism]

Let's not pretend that ethnicity is the same as nationality. It's not like white people have actually been in North America for very long either, and, in fact, all human ancestors originated from Africa.

[@vaughnchauncy8360]

I was a fan of both at the time, but am told Bailey was juicing.I believe that Linford Christy woulda won Gold had he not got dq'ed for weak false start

[@chuckemeade]

Can you prove Baily was juicing?

[@stevenlake5278]

They all juice 🥤 😂😂😂😂

[@malligrub]

The idea that MJ - great as he was at the long sprints - was even close to being the fastest man in the World at any stage is comically stupid.

[@nbapbaupdate8338]

Kristaps Porzingis your next video theScore 💪💪💪

[@hadesmusic1175]

That’s awesome. I was there for that.

[@JohnSmith-oe5kx]

GARBAGE. World's Fastest Man has always been the 100m champ--notwithstanding Americans trying to change it to suit themselves. The 150m was just a grudge match.

[@johndasilva2686]

Donovan Bailey breezed past mighty mouth Michael Johnson. In life you must win or lose graciously. Noel ( drama queen ) lyles must be related to Johnson. Both are fab sprinters but their brains cannot process losing , so they turn to acting.

[@ShemarCedrick]

Damn didn’t know about this

[@byronwilliams7977]

I remember this, in Canada this was WILD

[@mamamo1639]

All of that trashtalking, just to be out preformed by the real world's fastest man, Usain Bolt

[@brandobeewell]

He was literally Thanos to their records

[@mamamo1639]

@@brandobeewell yea couldn't agree more they really gave their best for nothing

[@khumokwezimashapa2245]

​@@brandobeewellBolt is one of the 13 Primes

[@amyparker9816]

@@mamamo1639 Weird comment given that both were retired before Bolt's time. Bolt was absolutely something special, no doubt. But his days as the record holder are numbered...they WILL be broken one day, and likely sooner rather than later.

[@KwameGyanko]

@@amyparker9816 later rather than sooner 🤫

[@toddk8114]

It’s a shame Johnson got hurt he would have won easily. Everyone knows how he would have gone right by the juicer. Johnson was much better than Bailey

[@thomasross3643]

Bailey overtook Johnson within 10 paces. Find another way to cope.

[@chuckemeade]

Apparently not.

[@chriswilliamson7694]

Johnson got his arse kicked and was never as fast as Bailey. There is no disputing either of those things.

[@wade2bosh]

Bailey has higher top speed