Retired American Sprinter Michael Johnson Casts Doubts After Nigeria’s Tobi Amusan Smashed World Record

Retired American Sprinter Michael Johnson Casts Doubts After Nigeria’s Tobi Amusan Smashed World Record

Babajide Orevba
updated at April 12, 2023 at 8:07 PM
  • Tobi Amusan smashed the Women’s 100m Hurdles world record on the final day of the World Athletics Championships
  • The incredible Nigerian athlete came first, having crossed the line in 12.05 seconds to win gold at the event
  • Michael Johnson, who won four Olympic gold medals in the span of his career, has expressed doubts over the current timing system

Legendary sprinter Michael Johnson has expressed doubts after Nigeria’s Tobi Amusan smashed the world record in the Women's 100m Hurdles event at the World Athletics Championships in Eugene, Oregon, United States.

Earlier in the day, Amusan won her semifinal heat when she crossed the finished line at a time of 12.12 seconds, smashing the previous best of 12.20sec set by American Kendra Harrison in 2016.

The 25-year-old Nigerian sprinter then bettered her own record in the final when she came first, having crossed the line in 12.05 seconds to win gold at the event.

Tobi Amusan, Michael Johnson, World Athletics Championships, Eugene
Tobi Amusan wins gold at World Athletics Championships. Photo: Patrick Smith
Source: Getty Images

It was a stunning feat that Michael Johnson, who won four Olympic gold medals and 8 World Championships gold medals in the span of his career, seems to doubt the timing.

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The 54-year-old tweeted after Amusan’s triumph:

“I don’t believe 100h times are correct. World record broken by .08! 12 PBs set. 5 National records set. And Cindy Sember quote after her PB/NR “I thoroughly I was running slow!” All athletes looked shocked.”

And the tweet has not gone down well with some social media users who felt offended at Johnson’s reaction.

A fan replied:

“Did you also raise your suspicions with the timing when Sydney broke the 400m hurdles world record?”

Another added:

“He never singled out the African woman…the question is the timing system. There has never been a time in Track and Field history where this many Personal Best & National Records have taken place in a single event.”

Another wrote:

“It’s the fastest track but it doesn’t mean they’re powered by jets. Tobi Amusan just improved her PB by more 0.3 at the elite level in 1 day when she was already a world class athlete. Sport needs integrity, believing everything is naïve.”

Ese Brume wins silver medal

Meanwhile, Sports Brief earlier reported that Nigeria’s Ese Brume will return home with a medal after winning silver on the last day of the World Athletics Championships in Eugene, Oregon, United States.

Brume leapt 7.02m to finish second in the women’s long jump despite that she barely made it into the final with her last attempt to book an automatic qualification spot.

The 26-year-old came second behind Olympic champion Malaika Mihambo of Germany, who leapt 7.12m.

Authors
Babajide Orevba photo
Babajide Orevba
Babajide Orevba is a CAF accredited Nigerian journalist and HOD of the Local Desk with over 10 years of experience in media landscape.He studied NCE Political Science/Social Studies, AOCOED.
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