Nigerians have come out in full force to defend their compatriot’s integrity after Michael Johnson expressed doubt about the accuracy of Tobi Amusan’s incredible performances today at the Oregon 2022 World Athletics Championships.
Amusan had stunned the watching world twice at the Hayward Field in the early hours of today, first breaking the old women’s 100 metres hurdles world record of 12.20 seconds with a 12.12s run in the semi-finals, and then running an even faster but wind-aided 12.06s in the final to win Nigeria’s first-ever World Athletics Championships gold.
Apart from Amusan’s world record in the semi-final, all the other seven athletes in her heat also set one new mark or the other.
Three of them ran their season’s best times, two set national records and the other two produced new personal best times.
In another semi-final heat, there were four new personal best times and one national record, and the third heat produced one national record, two season’s best times and one personal best.
This unusual but not impossible pattern raised Johnson’s doubts and the American, who himself held the world records in the men’s 200m and 400m, expressed his opinion on Twitter.
“I don’t believe 100m hurdles times are correct. World record broken by .08! 12 PBs set. 5 National records set,” the multiple Olympics and world champion wrote.
“And Cindy Sember quote after her PB/NR ‘I thought I was running slow!’ All athletes looked shocked.
“Heat 2 we were first shown winning time of 12.53. Few seconds later it shows 12.43. Rounding down by .01 is normal. .10 is not.”
The post drew the ire of Nigerians and and even some non-Nigerians, who accused Johnson of raining on Amusan’s parade because she is African and not American like the retired star athlete.
While some of the replies to Johnson were measured and showed the respondents’ disappointment, some accused Johnson, who is black, of being racist.
Johnson later tweeted after the first wave of replies: “As a commentator my job is to comment. In questioning the times of 28 athletes (not one 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.”
However, this drew even more backlash as the accusations continued.
Below are some of the printable comments…
Dehinde Elvon Sanni, wrote: “But the 2012 men’s 100m final had three personal bests + one Olympic record. Six of the athletes finished the race under 10 secs.”
Adesua Etomi, the famous actress, wrote: “What you said was in bad taste. Tobi won that race and broke that record. Do better.”
Frank Donga, the popular comedian and actor, wrote: “Baba, las-las na you unite Nigerians ontop your matter. Something politicians are struggling to do. I don’t support vawulence o! but hang in tight sha. People dey vex.
A Twitter user, simply identified as NYCGunner74, who might not be Nigerian, wrote: “Don’t go there Mike, don’t do the elitist thing again, a Nigerian breaks the record and there is a problem? You bout to feel the anger of 200M Nigerians.”
One Rhymesrepublic wrote in pidgin: “This record amusan broke dey pain them gan sha.”
Ava Momoh wrote: “Tell me Michael, do you take your haterade with sugar? Or you like that tart, bitter haterade? I’ll go with bitter. You seem like a “bitter” kind of guy.”
Ahmed Adeyemi wrote: “Did you reach out to the officials? Why cast doubts on a world record without due diligence?
“You found a rationale for the world record when it was broken by an
American though.”
Scott Ashley Tunde wrote: “Didn’t see you bring this up during Sydney’s races (McLaughlin, the American who broke the 400m hurdles world record). Oh I forgot! Only Americans are permitted to break records! And isn’t this one of the fastest tracks in the world according to American media?”
Omilola Adedeji wrote: “Na bad belle go kill you. When Lyles and other Americans were breaking records nothing was said by you.”
Dronz wrote: “I respectfully disagree sir, Tobi has been improving all season, her record breaking run started from the Paris Diamond League which she had a poor start with an African record, her next race was the heats where she set a new AR, the next a WR. If you question this time are the others wrong too?”
Richard Anderson, who appears to be Jamaican, wrote: “Did you question the clock when the 400m hurdle record was broken yesterday? Get the f..k off social media with your f..ked up mind!”
Dr Mayorlee wrote: “Yen yen yen… that’s wat we call your mindset here in Nigeria.
Thank you even if it’s not correct, let us enjoy the moment finish.”
Nnamdi Ezanochie wrote: “Please just stop this US snobbish nonsense. When Sydney ran 50.68 it was real but because it’s a Nigerian it’s not. How dare you try and take this moment from Tobi. Shame on you Mike!!!”
Kabeer wrote: “He wasn’t quick to post this when Sydney broke the 400mH world record. What a joker of a boy.”
Bane wrote: “How are questioning the times of just today, for a competition that has been going on for a week plus? A Nigerian won and suddenly you’re “wondering if the timing system malfunctioned”. You’ve also congratulated one of yours who won same today with the same timer. Bad belle.”
Shuyi wrote: “Maybe bring out your personal stopwatch next time you watch an African run a race.”
Panthress wrote: “Are we really going to listen to someone who thinks slavery made people faster?” attaching an article where Johnson indeed made this controversial suggestion.
Larry Ket wrote: “Michael Jackson I know, Michael Jordan I know but Michael Johnson I know not. You’re the least most popular MJ even with your records.”
GFA wrote: “Michael Johnson a drug cheat who feasted on specially designed synthetic performance enhancement drug is casting a doubt on an African who just broke a record…”
