Born: September 13, 1967 in Dallas, TX
World Records: 200 m in 19.32 seconds
300 m in 30.85 seconds
400 m in 43.18 seconds
4 x 400m relay in 2:54:20, with USA team
Other Achievements: Michael Johnson has won four Olympic gold medals (2 gold medals for the 4 x 400m relay, 1 for the 400m, and 1 for the 200 m) and has won the world champion title nine times.
What makes him so special?: Michael Johnson was a powerhouse in the 1990s, virtually unbeatable. He didn't just break world records, he shattered them. Often beating opponents by several seconds. He is also an inspiration to any athlete who gets injured, because despite injuring himself in 1997, he still won the world champion title in the 400 m that year. He had some of the same problems in 1998, which he overcame to win the title again with a new world record.
