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By Ann Tatko, CONTRA COSTA TIMES
Thu, Apr. 18, 2002
April 18, 2002—SAN FRANCISCO - He grew up in Texas, went to Baylor and still owns a home near Dallas. But one of America's biggest track stars isn't throwing his support behind Houston's bid to host the 2012 Olympics.
Five-time Olympic gold medalist Michael Johnson, who now lives in San Rafael, has lent his name and face to the Bay Area's bid, bolstering San Francisco's chances of being chosen the U.S. candidate city in November.
Johnson stepped in front of the cameras for the first time Wednesday to endorse the bid, but only after he had assessed it and the Bay Area Sports Organizing Committee officials for himself.
"I wanted to meet them first because I wanted to make sure they were genuine in their attempts to bring the games here," Johnson said, and then added with a laugh, "I've been on a winning team for a long time; I just wanted to make sure I was joining another winner."
Johnson retired last September after a 13-year track career in which he set five world records, including the 200- and 400-meter marks, which still stand. Now his days are filled with traveling, corporate speaking engagements, broadcasting assignments and spending time with his wife, Kerry, and 2-year-old son, Sebastian.
"He's what's keeping me in shape these days," Johnson said of his son.
Johnson has yet to feel that sense of withdrawal from track and field, but that hasn't kept him from staying involved in the sport.
Wanting to be involved is part of the reason he and BASOC came together, at the urging of a mutual friend of Johnson and BASOC president and CEO, Anne Cribbs.
"I want to help bring the Olympics back to the U.S., and San Francisco and the Bay Area are a great place to make that happen," Johnson said. "Plus, my reasons are selfish. I live here and I like the idea of being able to drive to see the best track and field athletes compete."
Before Johnson accepted a position on BASOC's board of directors, he met with Cribbs and bid director Bob Stiles to query them, especially about the proposed athletics stadium at Stanford University.
The first question he asked: What would happen to the stadium once the Olympics ended?
Of the three stadiums in which Johnson competed, only Spain's Barcelona track has retained its Olympic form. Atlanta's now is a baseball park, and Sydney's is a soccer facility.
Under BASOC's plan, Stanford's stadium would retain the Olympic track after the games.
"When a stadium is still there, Olympic athletes can take their grandkids back to show them where they competed," Johnson said. "When I take mine to Atlanta, they'll be saying, 'Oh, you were a baseball player?'"
The barrage of questions from Johnson didn't worry BASOC officials, Stiles said. They actually were pleased to see him take an interest in the finer points of organizing the games.
"I'm thrilled that he asked the questions," Stiles said, "especially because we were ready with answers."
In addition to providing BASOC with an athlete's perspective, Johnson will serve as a sort of ambassador in promoting the bid publicly and in the sports community.
And with BASOC trying to prove it can win the international bid, it needs a spokesperson such as Johnson, who is recognized and respected worldwide.
"He's a terrific representative of the Olympic movement," Cribbs said. "And he chose to come here to live. He helps support our point that Olympians love to come here to the Bay Area."
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