Mr Midas' golden goodbye

Mr Midas' golden goodbye
Erskine McCullough

Sydney, September 25: Michael Johnson turned from greatness into a living legend when he became the first man to successfully defend the Olympic 400 meters title here on Monday. The 33-year-old, already one of the greatest athletes in the sport's history thanks to his 400m-200m double at Atlanta four years ago and the two world records he holds, swept home in 43.84secs.

Fellow American Alvin Harrison (44.40) took the silver and Jamaica's Gregory Haughton (44.70) snatched the bronze. For Johnson it was a spectacular farewell Olympic appearance. ``This is my last major competition,'' he announced. ``I was here to defend my last individual race in the Olympic Games. My Olympic career has been great. This Olympics is very special because it is my last.'' It has been a stunning Olympic career for the `Waco Express'. Altogether he collected 13 Olympic medals - all of them gold. And he could make it 14 when he competes in the relay at the end of the week.

Johnson had vowed to attempt to become the first man to run under 43secs but a breeze sweeping through the multi-million dollar Stadium Australia and an overcast sky put paid to ambition. But it could not spoil the sweet taste of victory.

``I just went out and did what I have been doing for the past ten years and tonight feels just as good as the first time,'' said the Texan. But he insisted it was not the stroll in the park that it looked to the 100,000 strong crowd here to witness history in the making. ``It was tough. I felt the pressure on me. I didn't want to end my Olympic career with a silver or a bronze,'' he admitted. ``Obviously being the first man to successfully defend the title means a lot to me. I like being part of history.'' Wearing his traditional golden running shoes, Johnson and his unique shuffling style of running, once again showed there is no 400m runner in the world who can compete against him.

Johnson is the only 400m runner here to have run under 44secs and it showed this evening as he turned into the home straight comfortably in the lead and with only the clock to run against. Behind him Haughton was firmly placed for the silver as he hit the final straight but Harrison clawed him tomake it an American one-two.