The great ones!

[Stonigut]

Why is Uncle B calling Michael Johnson's name as a legendary great he is not even close to the level of Ali, Jordan or Pele, in each of those cases they dominated their sport for close to 15 years. Johnson was great but he is not in that class, not even near it. His rivalries outside Bailey not very memorable.

[Historian]

So True

Why is Uncle B calling Michael Johnson's name as a legendary great he is not even close to the level of Ali, Jordan or Pele, in each of those cases they dominated their sport for close to 15 years. Johnson was great but he is not in that class, not even near it. His rivalries outside Bailey not very memorable.

I agree with you 100%, boss. And to add to what you’ve said, even his rivalry with Donovan Bailey proved convincingly that Michael Johnson is no legend. I still have my recording of that infamous 150-meter race between both men. After the 1996 Olympics, both NBC and USATF were so eager to stamp greatness on Johnson that they came up with this odd-meter race to prove that Johnson was the fastest man (despite the fact that, historically, the 100-meter final has been used to determine the world’s fastest man). Of course, the only outcome of that ill-advised venture was embarrassment for Johnson.

Fast forward four years to that classic 2000 Olympic Games 4x400-meter race, which was anchored by Johnson to much acclaim. The result of that mile relay was adjusted several years later after it became obvious that THREE members of that American quartet were doping. (The gold medal was accordingly given to Nigeria and the silver medal to Jamaica, more than a decade later.)

It’s extremely difficult for me to see Michael Johnson in any category that includes the word “Legendary” or “Legend.” Same thing with Marion Jones.

[Stonigut]

Yes, excellent point, he did in fact not only lose the race but pulled up short after getting left in the dust.

[Don1]

Michael Johnson is a certified track legend.

He's the greatest long sprinter (200m/400m) in history.... simultaneous holding world records in both events AND Olympic titles in both as well. He's the ONLY man ever to repeat as Oly 400m champion and shares with Usain and Carla Lewis the record of 8 World Championship golds.

However as Stoni pointed out MJ is decidedly NOT in the iconic category of a Pele, Jordan, Ali ....or Usain Bolt

To get to that status one has to transcend one's sport and embody the very personification of greatness in the collective consciousness of the global community. Johnson does not transcend his sport...ergo he cannot be in Jordan's company for example

It's NOT merely about performance... Performance is a necessary but insufficient condition for Ali or Bolt-esque type iconic status.....It's also a cultural construct...stuff like overcoming huge obstacles, political impact, charisma etc

[Don1]

Yes, excellent point, he did in fact not only lose the race but pulled up short after getting left in the dust.

that race is an irrelevant farce. it's unworthy to use that farce to judge the guy

[Stonigut]

To get to that status one has to transcend one's sport and embody the very personification of greatness in the collective consciousness of the global community

Very nice Donman!

[Don1]

To get to that status one has to transcend one's sport and embody the very personification of greatness in the collective consciousness of the global community

Very nice Donman!

woooiiiieeee

[Karl]

Yup! ...good one, fi tru!