‘He’s a chicken’ – Michael Johnson was roasted by arch-rival after $1million race to settle ‘world’s fastest man’ debate
In 1997, history was made. Two champions in Michael Johnson and Donovan Bailey took to the track in what was dubbed the clash of champions to determine the World’s Fastest Man. Michael Johnson pulled up injured during the infamous clash of champions raceGetty The SkyDome in Toronto was the stage where the world was finally going to find out who the quickest of the pair actually was. 100m champion Bailey and 200m champion Johnson were set to race one-on-one over 150m, the midway point between the distances in which they pair have built their careers. The desire to find out who the fastest man was was born out of the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. As at the games, Bailey won gold by breaking the 100m world record (clocking 9.84 seconds). Likewise, Johnson shattered his 200m world record (19.32) in his famous golden shoes in Atlanta. The two incredible results from the sprinters, left people wondering who the fastest out of the two was and so a decision to race the next year was made. For Bailey however, the suggestion Johnson could even earn that title was ridiculous. “You know Michael, if you want to be the fastest man in the world, run the 100m,” the Jamaican-born Canadian said in pre-race clips that were broadcast to 2.584 million people in Canada on CBC. Johnson himself was bullish in the lead-up to the race: “If I go out there and win, which I fully expect to, I consider myself still the fastest man in the world,” said the American, with an extra emphasis on the word “still”. The time to race came on Sunday 1 June 1997 in Toronto as the pair took to their positions on a purpose-built 150m track and the starting pistol fired for what was one of the most highly-anticipated races in history. Michael Johsnon won four Olympic gold medalsGETTY Donovan Bailey won two Olympic gold medalsGETTY Bailey, who was given the inside of the two lanes, flew away and overtook Johnson, who was known for his ability to turn in races. As the Canadian stormed to victory, he turned his head backwards to catch a glimpse of Johnson. Upon looking, he realised the American was nowhere to be found, having pulled up injured with half the race left to run. So with such a controversial ending, Bailey’s victory was now tainted with the fact Johnson could not finish the race. “He didn’t pull up at all; he’s just a chicken,” Bailey said on CBC in a post-race interview. “He’s afraid to lose. I think what he should do is run this race over again, so I can kick his ass one more time.” Donovan Bailey (L) and Michael Johnson (R) are considered as some of the best sprinters of all-time Johnson was asked in a post-race press conference if he “threw the race” or was “genuinely injured” and declined comment. He also refused to shoot back at Bailey’s insults. It turned out Johnson was injured with a strained left quadriceps and it caused him to miss the U.S. Championships later that summer. Both Bailey and Johnson received a $500,000 fee for the race, with an additional million dollars given to the winner. It means that Bailey, who finished the race in 14.99 seconds, earned over $100,000 for every second run.
In 1997, history was made.
Two champions in Michael Johnson and Donovan Bailey took to the track in what was dubbed the clash of champions to determine the World’s Fastest Man.
The SkyDome in Toronto was the stage where the world was finally going to find out who the quickest of the pair actually was.
100m champion Bailey and 200m champion Johnson were set to race one-on-one over 150m, the midway point between the distances in which they pair have built their careers.
The desire to find out who the fastest man was was born out of the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.
As at the games, Bailey won gold by breaking the 100m world record (clocking 9.84 seconds).
Likewise, Johnson shattered his 200m world record (19.32) in his famous golden shoes in Atlanta.
The two incredible results from the sprinters, left people wondering who the fastest out of the two was and so a decision to race the next year was made.
For Bailey however, the suggestion Johnson could even earn that title was ridiculous.
“You know Michael, if you want to be the fastest man in the world, run the 100m,” the Jamaican-born Canadian said in pre-race clips that were broadcast to 2.584 million people in Canada on CBC.
Johnson himself was bullish in the lead-up to the race: “If I go out there and win, which I fully expect to, I consider myself still the fastest man in the world,” said the American, with an extra emphasis on the word “still”.
The time to race came on Sunday 1 June 1997 in Toronto as the pair took to their positions on a purpose-built 150m track and the starting pistol fired for what was one of the most highly-anticipated races in history.
Bailey, who was given the inside of the two lanes, flew away and overtook Johnson, who was known for his ability to turn in races.
As the Canadian stormed to victory, he turned his head backwards to catch a glimpse of Johnson.
Upon looking, he realised the American was nowhere to be found, having pulled up injured with half the race left to run.
So with such a controversial ending, Bailey’s victory was now tainted with the fact Johnson could not finish the race.
“He didn’t pull up at all; he’s just a chicken,” Bailey said on CBC in a post-race interview.
“He’s afraid to lose. I think what he should do is run this race over again, so I can kick his ass one more time.”
Johnson was asked in a post-race press conference if he “threw the race” or was “genuinely injured” and declined comment. He also refused to shoot back at Bailey’s insults.
It turned out Johnson was injured with a strained left quadriceps and it caused him to miss the U.S. Championships later that summer.
Both Bailey and Johnson received a $500,000 fee for the race, with an additional million dollars given to the winner.
It means that Bailey, who finished the race in 14.99 seconds, earned over $100,000 for every second run.
