ATLANTA, GA -- Michael Johnson poses next to his then-world record time after winning the gold in the men's 200 meter in 1996 that would stand as an American record until 2022.(William Snyder ...

Lyles eclipsed the previous mark held by Michael Johnson (19.32) by one-hundredth of a second, and Johnson was on hand to witness the passing of the torch. The clock initially showed a tie at 19. ...

The mark would elate any other runner in the world, but it was also the same time Michael Johnson set in the 200 meters at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. Since then, it has seemed unassailable.

File photo for Sportsman of the Year: 1 Aug 1996: Michael Johnson of the USA takes a victory lap after winning the men’s 200m in a new world record time of 19.32 seconds in the Centennial Olympic ...

Everything came together at the 1996 Summer Olympics for Michael Johnson, who sprinted his way to legendary status in track and field, and athletics in general. By the end of his events in 1996 ...

6 Jan 1997: Michael Johnson (left) of the United States and Donovan Bailey of Canada test the track at the Challenge of Champions at the Skydome in Toronto, Canada. Getty Images On June 1, 1997, ...

That meant he broke Michael Johnson's hallowed, 26-year-old American record -- a mark that, for decades, seemed unapproachable. "I was very self-concerned about whether that number was going to ...

From the start, it was about running 19.31 seconds in the 200m (or faster) to break Michael Johnson‘s American record. At the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, Johnson ran 19.32 seconds in golden shoes in the ...

Before Usain Bolt captivated the world with his unprecedented speed and exuberant personality, Michael Johnson held claim to one of the most breathtaking performances on the track at the Olympic ...

Sprinting great Michael Johnson said he had to apply an "Olympic mindset" during his recovery from a stroke. The American, 51, says he is "pretty much back to normal" after suffering the illness ...