Top 10 Sprint Races - #4 - Michael Johnson 43.18 400m World Record in Seville 1999

November 2, 2007 by Jimson Lee

Seville 1999. Men’s 400-meter world record.

Michael Johnson should have demolished the 400 WR in Zurich after his 19.32 200m in Atlanta, 1996.

Unfortunately he hurt his hamstring with that 100% all out effort, so we had to wait 3 years for this to happen. Everyone expected he would break the record; it was just a matter of “when”.

Unlike Butch Reynold’s 43.29 at Zurich 1988, a straight final invitational meet, Johnson went through the usual rounds with ease. In the semi-final, he literally jogs the last 100 meters and still runs 43.95. So you knew the record was going down, but would he break 43?

And yes, he was wearing his golden spikes, the ones he made famous in Atlanta 1996.

Both videos are presented here.

Michael Johnson 43.95 semi-final - Click To Play

Michael Johnson 43.18 WR - Click To Play

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