The golden double

At the 1996 Atlanta Games, Michael Johnson displayed one of the greatest blends of speed and power in track history by winning the 200- and 400-meter titles. No other man in Olympic history ever has earned gold medals in both events. After cruising to victory in the 400 in an Olympic-record time of 43.49 seconds, Johnson shattered his own world mark in the 200, clocking 19.32 seconds.

In another world

Just over three years after his historic performance in Atlanta, Johnson achieved the only goal to have eluded him. In the 400-meter final at the 1999 World Championships, his winning time of 43.18 seconds shaved .11 off Butch Reynolds' 11-year-old world record in the event. The triumph also gave Johnson his fourth consecutive world title in the 400. Three days later, he anchored America's gold medal-winning 4x400 relay team to become the first man in history to amass nine career golds at the worlds.

Double trouble

At the 2000 U.S. Olympic Trials in July, Michael Johnson clocked 43.68 in the 400-meter final, almost a full second ahead of runner-up Alvin Harrison (44.63), ensuring himself a chance to defend his gold in that event at the Sydney Games. However, Johnson won't be attempting to repeat his historic 200-400 sweep. Just seconds into the 200-meter final at the trials, he injured his left hamstring and fell to the track in pain. Also failing to finish the race because of injury was rival Maurice Greene, the reigning world champion, thus eliminating what figured to be a thrilling showdown between the pair in Sydney.

Unique technique

With his rigid, upright style and minimal knee lift, Johnson has an unconventional sprinting form that has been likened to that of Jesse Owens. Johnson's former high school coach, Joel Ezar, says, "He runs like a statue, straight up. They say his feet never leave the ground." Johnson's current coach, Clyde Hart, explained to the London Times, "Foot placement is a real key to speed. Many athletes place a foot slightly in front of their center of gravity and that actually causes a blocking effect. Michael may give up a little in stride length but he never stops moving and his feet form nearly a complete circle."

Legacy of dominance

In 1995, Johnson broke the indoor 400 record twice before going on to win the 200/400 double at the World Championships in Sweden. His margin of victory in the 400 was the biggest at a World Championships or Olympics since 1896.

Overcoming injury

Johnson spent the early part of the 1998 season troubled by a sore hamstring. A massage therapist discovered that Johnson suffered from an imbalance in his hips and developed a rehab program for him. Johnson headed into the 1999 season relatively healthy, although he missed the nationals. He suffered a right leg injury at a meet in Stockholm, Sweden, at the end of July, but that did not stop him from turning in a record-breaking performance at the World Championships.