‘Bad Belle’ — Sprint legend Michael Johnson under fire for questioning Amusan’s world record

Michael Johnson, the legendary American sprinter, has come under criticism for casting doubts on Tobi Amusan’s world record-setting race.

In the early hours of Monday, Amusan set a new world record in the women’s 100 meters hurdles as she dipped 12.12 seconds in the semi-finals of the women’s 100 meters hurdles.

The Nigerian would then go on to clock a wind-aided 12.06 — ineligible as a world record because of +2.5 meters per second strong wind — in the final, winning the gold medal at the World Athletic Championship.

Reacting to the semi-final race, Johnson, the four-time Olympic gold medal winner with Team USA, said he does not believe that the electric timer of the race is correct.

“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,” he tweeted.

“Heat 2 we were first shown winning time of 12.53. A few seconds later it shows 12.43. Rounding down by .01 is normal. .10 is not.”

Johnson’s tweet has begun to attract a chorus of condemnation from Nigerians on Twitter as some users tackled the eight-time World Athletic Championship gold medalist for “downplaying” Amosun’s world record.

Adesua Etomi advised Johnson to “do better,” adding that his comment “was in bad taste”.

“What you said was in bad taste. Tobi won that race and broke that record. Do better,” she tweeted.

“You’re the worst MJ I’ve ever seen in my life. The other MJs are world record holders while you’re here hating on a world record holder. A disgrace to the MJ name,” another user wrote.

What you said was in bad taste. Tobi won that race and broke that record. Do better. https://t.co/R8FhBuH185

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— Adesua Etomi-Wellington (@AdesuaEtomiW) July 25, 2022

Because of the deep respect I have for your phenomenal career, @MJGold, I won’t join the rest of #Nigeria in their royal ‘dragging’ of you. BUT… What you said, regarding @Evaglobal01’s WR, was not in good taste. Not at all. That’s why the country is furious with you. https://t.co/atnBb8XQ3O

— Osasu Obayiuwana (@osasuo) July 25, 2022

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Here's why Michael Johnson's take is disingenuous.

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Fast competition makes for fast times.

At the London 2012 Olympics, the 4×100m men's world record was broken by the Jamaicans because the Americans ran a blistering race. The Americans set a new national record in 2nd.

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— Temisan Okomi (@temiokomi) July 25, 2022

Don’t look at the 100h time. God’s time is the best🇳🇬 https://t.co/yFlEwYQonb

— Frank Donga™ (@frankdonga_) July 25, 2022

https://twitter.com/Isi_Junior/status/1551490384324329472?s=20&t=biTp84FpO7rmTzAet5rVfQ

You’re the worst MJ I’ve ever seen in my life. The other MJs are world record holder while you’re here hating on a world record holder. A disgrace to the MJ name. https://t.co/1yQISMPTuF

— Chemical Brother 👌 (@chemicalbrodar) July 25, 2022

Michael Jackson we know
Michael Jordan we know
Michael Owen we know
Micheal kors we know
Michael Scofield we know
Micheal Bolton we know
Micheal coel we know
Who are you? Who you be? Who born you? Who made you? https://t.co/1SYhQIbs8D

— purity_gifts (@purity_gifts) July 25, 2022