Michael Johnson accused of ‘black racism’ after questioning Toby Amosan’s world record

Athletics fans have accused track legend Michael Johnson of “black racism” to question whether Nigeria’s world record holder Toby Amosan is true.

The 100-meter hurdles won in 12.12 seconds to beat Kendra Harrison’s 2016 world record by 0.08 seconds at the IAAF World Championships in Oregon on Sunday.

Amosan was one of a succession of athletes to break world records or personal best times in the women’s only 100m hurdles.

Of the 24 semi-finalists in the three races, 12 scored their best times ever – and Johnson was immediately skeptical of the times recorded in the stadium.

The 54-year-old, who has won four Olympic golds and eight World Championships golds in his football career, took to Twitter after seeing how many athletes looked shocked in their own time.

“I don’t think 100-hour (100-meter hurdles) is correct,” he wrote.

“The world record broken by .08! 12 PBs set (personal best). 5 set national records. Cindy Semper was quoted after her PB/NR record (national record) “I thought I was running slow!” All the athletes looked shocked [sic].

“Heat 2, it debuted that we won with a time of 12.53. After a few seconds it shows 12.43. Rounding by 0.01 is normal. ..10 is not.

Amusan became the world champion at a faster time later in the day at Hayward Field, but the time didn’t count toward the records due to the massive tailwind.

But fans on social media weren’t happy about Johnson’s mention of Amusan’s world record, with one accusing him of “black racism”.

Twitter user, who called himself Slim Daddy, wrote: ‘Michael Johnson, are you naturally stupid or should you make an effort?

“Why don’t you direct your energy to recover from your stroke, elemental black!

“Toby Amosan is the world record holder and there is nothing you can do about it.”

BBC critic and former track star accused of ‘black racism’ on social media

Amosan beat Kendra Harrison’s 2016 world record by 0.08sec at the IAAF World Championships in Oregon.

Another said, “Just because it’s not a report on the American war doesn’t mean the times were wrong,” while one added, “Did you question the record when an American broke the record?”

One Twitter user claimed that Johnson – now commenting for the BBC – may have been seeking revenge after the US was stripped of the 4x100m Olympic title in 2000 and Nigeria took the gold instead.

“The US 4x400m team that had Michael Johnson stripped of the Olympic gold medal in Sydney 2000 because Antonio Pettigrew admitted to doping during the competition,” the tweet read.

The Nigerian team eventually took home the gold. Do you understand his bitterness now?

One Twitter user claimed that Johnson may have been seeking revenge after the US was stripped of the 4x100m Olympic title in 2000 and Nigeria took the gold instead.

Athletics fans have criticized Johnson for questioning the accuracy of Amosan’s time

Johnson, who was also described as “pathetic”, called the backlash he received “unacceptable” and noted that he not only questioned Amosan’s time.

He later wrote on his Twitter account: “The level of stupidity that appears in my feed now is really amazing!

As a commentator, my job is to comment. In questioning the times of 28 athletes (not a single athlete) by asking if the timing system is broken.

I was attacked and accused of racism and questioning the talent of an athlete I respect and expected to win. unacceptable. I’m on the move.’

Johnson described the backlash he received as “unacceptable” and indicated that he not only questioned Amosan’s time.

Johnson won four Olympic golds and eight World Championships golds on a stellar path