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Fitting finale Johnson set to close book on storied career
Updated: Thursday September 06, 2001 1:14 AM
BRISBANE, Australia (AP) -- Growing up, Michael Johnson didn't think he would be famous. Time has changed that, and Johnson became one of track and field's best-known athletes, alongside greats like Jesse Owens -- his idol -- and Carl Lewis. "I never wanted to be a celebrity," he said Thursday, on the eve of his final meaningful race, the 1,600-meter relay at the Goodwill Games. "I wasn't comfortable with that. When you're growing up as the youngest of five, and your parents tell you you're not special, you don't feel that way. So I always felt I wasn't special." Family feelings notwithstanding, Johnson has been special to the sport. Very special. Many of his accomplishments have been unparalleled. He has won five Olympic medals -- all golds. He has won nine World Championships medals -- all golds. He has set world records in the 200 and 400 meters. He was the first man to win the 200 and 400 at the same Olympics. He is the only man to repeat as Olympic 400 champion. His coach since college, Clyde Hart, knows how special Johnson has been. "He's been as perfect as a coach could want," Hart said. "We've shared the same objectives -- he wanted to be the best and I've wanted him to be the best. We wanted to be the best each year, even if it was only one percent better. We tried to do a little more ... each year. "It's been nothing but a pure pleasure. We've had no conflicts. Now if we can just get through another day, I think we'll be OK." That day will be Friday, when Johnson anchors a relay team that also includes Derrick Brew, Leonard Byrd and Antonio Pettigrew. Johnson will run an exhibition relay at Yokohama, Japan, Sept. 15, but the Goodwill race "will be my last opportunity to represent my country," he said. The Goodwill Games are a fitting climax for Johnson. "The Goodwill Games were my first international competition in Seattle in 1990," he said. "I tried to prove something there and I did. "This time, it's a farewell. This time, it's not such a big competition, it's more an emotional thing." Johnson has mixed emotions about the ending. "I understand that I will miss the sport because it's been so much a part of my life," he said. "I've been so fortunate. There's no way I could have any regrets. I knew when I made the decision to retire there would be nothing to do as exciting or as challenging in my life. But as an athlete, you have to understand you can't do it forever. Life is bigger than track. "It's sad not so much because it's going to end, but that the year is going to end because I've had such a great time." Johnson, who will be 34 next Thursday, has not run any individual races this season. limiting his competition to relays on what has been called his Golden Victory Lap Tour. The tour also has included a series of clinics for children and much intermingling, speaking and autograph signing for fans. "I think the fans have had a great time and so have I," Johnson said. "It's been a lot of fun. I'm sad that it's going to end." Johnson has been conducting clinics throughout the world for about five years, but hasn't enjoyed them as much as this year, because in the past he usually had to run a race the next day. This year, he has felt more relaxed. Besides continuing his work with youngsters and helping to promote the sport, Johnson will work as a television commentator for track and field, which he has done for about four years. Johnson is surprised that no one has dominated the 400 like he did for so many years. "Nobody has done anything," he said. "I'm shocked about that. Coming into this year, I was excited about the 400 because there were so many guys who were evenly matched. I thought somebody would step up. They made me look stupid. I was very disappointed." Johnson's expectations might have been too high for the other 400 runners. He set such a high standard that it would be difficult to duplicate.
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