Michael Johnson, the eight-time world champion, questioned the timing system at the World Athletics Championships after Nigeria's Tobi Amusan smashed the world record in the semi-final of the Women's 100m Hurdles.
Following the completion of the third semi-final which saw Jamaica's Britany Anderson win in a time of 12.31s, a new national record, Johnson who was part of the BBC commentary team let his thoughts be known. Athletics fans were left speechless after three semi-finals which saw personal bests and national records falling like never before in Eugene.
"I'm not believing these times, I'm just going to put that out there," he said.
Tweeting afterwards Johnson based his doubts on the shocked reaction of the athletes when they crossed the line. Amusan clocked a time of 12.12s, while five national records were set in the semi-finals alone including a new British record of 12.50s by Cindy Sember.
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 throughly I was running slow!” All athletes looked shocked.
— Michael Johnson (@MJGold) July 25, 2022
Amusan was under massive pressure in the final to back up her earlier performance and did so running an even faster time of 12.06s, however the wind was slightly over the legal limit.
Amusan runs new world record in 5k/10k shoes
Remarkably, the 25-year-old smashed the world record in a pair of shoes, the Adidas Adizero Avanti, which are designed for 5k and 10k runners and are not your typical track spikes. The shoes can be worn in competition as they do not have a sole thicker than the 20mm World Athletics allows. Amusan started using the shoes after picking up a knee injury earlier this summer.
Tobi Amusan just ran a WORLD RECORD!!!
12.12s
What a race!!!!#WorldAthleticsChamps pic.twitter.com/4RJWnKqMrv— David Arowojolu (@Its_superdave) July 25, 2022
Also in the final Britany Anderson won silver, with the Olympic champion from Puerto Rico, Jasmine Camacho-Quinn, taking bronze. Camacho-Quinn is coached by Dublin man John Coghlan.
Johnson faced a major backlash on social media. He described the "dumbassery" that he was reading following his comments as "staggering".
He later tweeted that he had been accused of racism.
As a commentator my job is to comment. In questioning the times of 28 athletes (not 1 athlete) by wondering if the timing system malfunctioned, I was attacked, accused of racism, and of questioning the talent of an athlete I respect and predicted to win. Unacceptable. I move on.
— Michael Johnson (@MJGold) July 25, 2022
Sarah Lavin from Limerick finished fifth in her semi-final. The Emerald AC athlete ran the second fastest time of her career, 12.87s, but missed out on a place in the final. Lavin finished as fifth fastest European which will boost her confidence going into the European Championships in Munich next month.
The 28-year old has had a fantastic season so far running a personal best of 12.84s recently at the Cork City Sports and making the World Indoor final back in March.
"It was probably my best run ever," Lavin told Irish athletics journalist Cathal Dennehy after the race.
There's no way in hell I was going to run 12.50s today and that's what it took to make the final, I can't believe that.
"That is a sick standard so fair play to the girls. The ballpark has just moved. "
