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"Can Africa put two men on the podium" - Michael Johnson on being questioned about USA's medal chances at 100m event in Paris Olympics
Michael Johnson wondered whether any African athlete would execute a podium-worthy performance in the 100m at the 2024 Paris Olympics. He put a finger on the caliber of Noah Lyles and Fred Kerley as the world champions. He also mentioned Jamaican sprinters Kishane Thompson and Oblique Seville as formidable contenders.
Michael Johnson, the four-time Olympic and eight-time World gold medalist, notably worked for the BBC as a sports commentator after retirement. Even now, his knowledge of the track and opinions on athletes continue to influence the sporting community.
Ahead of the 2024 Summer Games, an X fan page questioned Johnson about the possibility of two US athletes on the 100m Olympic podium in his tweet reading:
"Men’s 100m suddenly much more exciting than it was just a few weeks ago!"
The fan page also reminded Johnson of the athletes from the other countries in line, like the Jamaican sprinters, Oblique Seville and Kishane Thomspson and African sprinters, Ferdinand Omanyala and Akani Simbine.
In response, the 56-year-old rooted for Noah Lyles and Fred Kerley, since both are the 100m champions at the 2023 and 2022 World Championships, respectively. So, their chances of sharing the Olympic podium are high. The consecutive 100m fourth finisher at the 2022 and 2023 World Championships, Oblique Seville, also stands a chance.
However, Michael Johnson couldn't say anything concrete about African athletes, like Letsile Tebogo, Ferdinand Omanyala, and Akani Simbine, in their 100m performances in Paris.
"Yes. US has 2 World Champs: Noah and Fred. Kenny has deep championship experience at 200 and running well at 100. Jamaica could also. Kishane running like a beast right now but don’t sleep on Oblique. 4th in the last two WCH finals! Question is can Africa put two on the podium?" his tweet read.
Omanyala faced the likes of Lyles and Seville at the 2024 Racers Grand Prix and finished third in 10.02s. Tebogo was the 2023 World silver medalist in the 100m behind Lyles, and Simbine was the 100m fourth finisher at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Michael Johnson: "Noah [Lyles] has to be thinking world record is possible"
Noah Lyles broke Usain Bolt's record for the most sub-20 200m races run in his career. Bolt holds the 200m world record in 19.19s but his sub-20s 200m races stood at 34, whereas Lyles extended the count to 35 at the 2023 London Diamond League.
Michael Johnson, in awe of Lyles' prowess on the track, opined that the world record could be in line for him. Johnson also pointed out the areas Lyles could improve in.
"Noah has to be thinking world record is possible. His top end speed on the straight has improved dramatically last couple years. Needs to figure out how to reach that same top end speed on the curve. That’s where the opportunity is," he wrote on X.
The 2024 Paris Olympic gates will open on July 26 with the men's 100m preliminary round scheduled on August 3.
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