Business as usual in Johnson's last race

YOKOHAMA, SEPT. 15. For Michael Johnson it was business as usual in the final competitive race of an unparallelled career on Saturday.

The five-times Olympic sprint champion told reporters he had felt no emotion as he stepped on to the track for the last time to run the final leg of a mixed distance relay.

``People don't understand my feelings are different from theirs. I'm still out there competing and still had a job to do,'' he said. ``I knew I had to bring us the victory.''

The World 200 and 400 metres record-holder strode past Japanese Jun Osakada in the back straight on the last leg of a 100-200-300-400 metres relay to win the event for his team.

Johnson, 34, then made it clear he would not be making any comebacks. ``I'm finished. I announced after Sydney it was my last Olympics or World Championships and said this year that I would retire,'' he said. ``I haven't given anyone any reason to doubt that.''

Johnson said the secret of his success during a career in which he won a record nine World titles was ``a combination of God- given talent and hard work.''

When pushed to name one athlete who had pushed him to the limit over the years, Johnson paid tribute to Namibia's Frankie Fredericks, who ran the first leg for Johnson's ``dream team'' on Saturday.

``We have been competing against each other since collegiate level and he's always been there. He's had amazing consistency in his career,'' he said.

Asked if he would consider a career in coaching in the future, Johnson gave an unequivocal ``no.'' ``There is no possibility of that. It takes a special talent to coach athletes and I don't think I have that talent,'' said Johnson, who added he would content himself with conducting track and field ``youth clinics.''

- Reuters

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Section  : Sport
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