07.1.09
on the record with michael johnson
Michael Johnson has some interesting thoughts on Usain Bolt and the need for competition
Reflecting on recent meets like Manchester and Toronto where Bolt went basically unchallenged, Michael Johnson is concerned that building events around one man is not what the sport should be about.
“The biggest asset of track and field is pure competition, and nobody talks about that any more,” said Johnson. “It’s all about the star athlete. If that’s the case, you may as well send them out there and let them run by themselves in an exhibition.”
“We’re overlooking the greatest thing about the sport which is the most attractive thing to the fan base that you can grow, and that is competition.”
The problem facing promoters is finding opponents who can give Bolt a run for his money. On the evidence so far this year, only American Tyson Gay looks capable.
“Competition is good for the sport, whether it’s Tyson or anyone else,” said Johnson. “Am I hoping that Usain Bolt loses? No. I just hope we see competition and that athletes like Tyson Gay are able to step up to his level and run with him.”
After two false starts in Toronto, Bolt admitted that he held back on the throttle because of the poor weather conditions, not wanting to risk injury so early in the season.
Johnsons‘s response: “That’s the right thing to do. You’ve got to be very careful because you have a lot of running to do and you can’t manage to get injured at this time of the season.”
He also has an article here about the three steps required to save the sport. It’s a thought provoking read.