In 1996 Michael Johnson hoped to accomplish a feat no one has ever achieved. He wanted to become the first sprinter to ever win gold medals in the 200- and 400-meter dashes at the same Olympics. Johnson, the number-one-ranked sprinter in both events, made history in 1995 by accomplishing this feat at the World Track and Field Championships. In a remarkable performance, he not only won both events at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia, but he shattered the world record in the 200-meters in the process. Johnson's accomplishment established him as one of the greatest track-and-field athletes in the history of the sport.

Growing up

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Michael Johnson was born September 13, 1967, in Dallas, Texas. He is the youngest of five children. His parents stressed that education and good grades are important. Each of Johnson's four siblings finished college. Johnson attended classes for gifted children. He wore black horn-rimmed...