Olympic & Paralympic Games, Paris 2024 and Beyond - Laureus World Sports Awards Madrid 2024 - Source: Getty — Michael Johnson shares his opinion about cheating in sports (Image Source: Getty)

"Cheating in sport is like crime in society"- Michael Johnson reacts to World Championships silver medalist's 'Christmas wish’

Modified Dec 22, 2024 02:10 GMT

Michael Johnson is considered to be one of the best sprinters of all time. While the American retired from the sport over two decades ago, he continues to use his platform to champion causes he cares about, and he recently gave his opinion about ending doping in sports.

Johnson’s career saw him win four Olympic gold medals and 8 World Championships titles. Throughout his time on the track, the 56-year-old was outspoken about his disapproval of doping in sports and even returned his 4x400m relay gold from the 2000 Sydney Olympics after it was revealed that a teammate had failed their dope test.

Recently, 2007 World Championships silver medalist Kara Groucher expressed a unique Christmas wish on X, writing,

“All I want for Christmas is for athletes to stop cheating.”

To this, Johnson responded,

“Cheating in sport is like crime in society. Unfortunately you’ll never stop it, you can only limit it. Worst is crime and cheating both have victims. On the positive side, most people in society obey the rules. Same in sport.”

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When Michael Johnson was stripped of his Olympic gold medal due to a teammate

Michael Johnson at the Sydney Olympics (Image Source: Getty)

In 2000, Michael Johnson competed at his last Olympic Games. He claimed his second consecutive gold medal in the 400m sprint and then went on to anchor Team USA to a top-of-the-podium finish in the 4x400m relay.

However, in 2008 it was revealed that Johnson’s 4x400m teammate, Antonio Pettigrew, was guilty of having used performance-enhancing drugs. As a result, the American returned his 4x400m gold medal.

Johnson then opened up about his decision to return the medal in a column for the Daily Telegraph, writing,

"As difficult as it is, I will be returning it (the medal) to the International Olympic Committee because I don't want it. I feel cheated, betrayed and let down. The news that Antonio was scheduled to testify to having taken performance-enhancing drugs shocked me like no other drug-related story. He was someone I considered a friend.”

“I am deeply disappointed in Antonio and in the sport of athletics. I now realize that there have been a significant number of athletes and coaches in this sport who have cheated and taken the short cut, and many of them knew who else was cheating,” he went on to add.

Despite returning his Sydney Olympics 4x400m relay gold medal, Michael Johnson has remained one of the most successful sprinters in the history of the sport. Since his retirement, the American has continued to work for the growth of track and field.