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As a young man, Michael Johnson would play any sport. And he learned this valuble lesson: "I was always the fastest guy."
As his affection for track grew, so did his talent. With his unorthodox style, he became one of the most feared prep sprinters in Texas. He emerged as a major tack presence at Baylor, breaking the school record in his first collegiate 200- meter event. By the end of 1990, Johnson was ranked No. 1 in the world in both the 200 and 400-meter by the Track & Field News.
His dominant win in the 200 meters at the 1991 World Championships was reminiscent of the great Jesse Owens; his winning margin was the greatest at the Worlds or Olympics since Jesse's 1936 performance.
While food poisoning at the 1992 Olympic Games derailed his 200 and 400 meter medal hopes, he captured gold in the 4 x 400 relay. In a legendary performance at the 1996 Olympic Games, Johnson won both the 200 and 400 meters, breaking his own world record in the 200 meters. He was universally regarded as the fastest man in the world.
Following a disappointing injury at the 2000 Olympic Trials in Sacramento that forced him to miss qualifying for the 200 meters, Johnson won gold medals in both the 400 meter and 4 x 400 meters relay during the Sydney Olympic Games.
In 1998, Johnson married Kerry Doyen. They live in San Rafael with their four year old son, Sebastian.
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