Individual stars shine at Penn Relays

Michael Johnson cruises to victory Track superstar Michael Johnson won a world championship in 1991. He is currently the world-record holder in the 400 meters. He was a member of a record-setting 4x400 team. He is currently ranked first in the world in the 200 and 400 meters. Now, Johnson can add a victory at Penn Relays to his list of accomplishments. As part of an Olympic developmental race, Johnson competed on the 4x200 relay team and obliterated his competition. "With the team we assembled, there was no way we could lose," Johnson said. Despite Johnson's confidence, his team almost lost the race. Johnson, who ran the anchor leg, almost dropped the baton on the handoff from John Regis. Johnson said dropping the baton was the only way they could lose. Problems can arise with the baton in the 4x200 relay because the athletes are running much faster when they hand off the baton than they are in other relays, he added. The handoff between Regis and Johnson took a few seconds, dropping Johnson's team into a tie for first place. But soon Johnson had a solid grip and was at full speed. He soon left competitors in his dust, winning by almost two seconds with a time of 1 minute, 21.54 seconds. Johnson was happy to be able to compete at the Penn Relays. He's recently had some injuries, and felt the Relays gave him a great opportunity to "get a good measure of where I am." Despite his dominance, his legs felt dead because of the tremendous amount of training he had been doing. But he said the training is going well, and he described his performance as "smooth." The next step for Johnson is preparing for the Olympics. As the top ranked 200 and 400 meters runner in the world, he hopes to compete in both events. However the Olympic schedule was just released, and times for the 200- and 400-meter races conflict. Johnson will compete in both events in the U.S. and world championships. If the schedule does no change, Johnson will decide which Olympic event he will compete in "when the time comes."