Michael Johnson Essay, Research Paper

Have you ever wondered what speed you can run at? Have you ever wondered what speed the fastest human being can run at? If so, the average speed of a human being is approximately 10 – 15 miles per hour. The person I+m going to introduce to you today, has been reported to clock speeds up to 30 miles per hour. This person has been labeled the by (Tom Lynn, Sports Illustrated, July 1996) as the |World+s fastest humanX. This talented human being that I am speaking of is, world class sprinter Michael Johnson.

Now that we have distinguish the world fastest human, I will first, tell you more about his personal background, second, how he successed as an athlete, and finally, the personality that has driven him to where he is today.

Michael Johnson was born in Dallas, Texas on September 13, 1967. He is the youngest of five children. Due to the fact the his mother was an elementary school teacher, the Johnson family strongly emphasized education. For this reason, Michael Johnson was an exceptional student. Johnson went on to graduate at Skyline High School in Dallas, Texas. From there he continued his education at Baylor University, this is where he earned his bachelor+s degree in business. Although Johnson was quite successful with his education, his parents, would only allow him to participate in sports once he had completed and satisfied his schoolwork.

So at the age of 11, Johnson began sprinting in local track meets. From there he went on to join his junior high and high school track team. Johnson+s high school coach, Joel Ezar recalled a race where Johnson+s glasses had flew off and it appeared that Johnson had stop to retrieve them, but he didn+t. Johnson came out of high school as an average track runner. But Johnson+s vision of track in high school was that track was going to get him into a better college. From there Johnson was then recruited to Baylor University, only as a relay runner. But during his freshman year in college, he grew to size that had made him into a world class sprinter. While in college, Johnson earned five NCAA championships.

At the same time he was also competing in National team events. Johnson tried out for the 1988 Summer Olympics, but due to a stress fracture in his lower leg, Johnson didn+t make the team. Following the disappointment, Johnson then went on to win 21 consecutive races in the 200 meter-dash, which included the 1991 world championships. As the trials came around for the 1992 Summer Olympics, Johnson was prepared and ready to qualify for the games. But during the trials, he again was haunted by health problems. This time it was food poisoning, which cause him to miss the qualifying race. Although he didn+t qualify for any individual races, he was put on the 1600-meter Olympic relay team, here is where he earned his first Olympic gold medal. From that Olympics to the 1996 Olympics, he dominated not only the 200 meter-dash, but also the 400 meter-dash. In the 1996 Summer Olympics, he went on to capture the gold medal in both the 200meter and the 400meter events. He became the first person in Olympic history to capture both titles in the same olympics.

Sports writers believe the Johnson+s speed wasn+t what won him his titles, they believe that it was his personality. With his personality, Johnson+s former high school and college coaches agreed the he was the most dedicated athlete that they have ever met. Although his dedication was so strong, his athletic attitude was different then most other athletes. As a kid, Johnson quit football after two years because of the attitude on the field. He was quoted saying |I+m not a person who likes someone screaming and hollering at me.X (Current Biography, July 1996). From his personal drive attitude and dedication, his future plans include being part owner of the NBA basketball team, Dallas Mavericks, and he is working way to repeat his amazing Olympic accomplishment at the next 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia.

Now that we know learned a little bit about our guest speaker+s background, succees and personality.

Just a little warning – DON+T BLINK, and now the moment you+ve all been waiting for, I like to introduce to you the World+s fastest human being Michael Johnson.

326