43.18- It was 10 Years Ago Today – August 26, 1999

If the number forty-three-point-one-eight (43.18) doesn’t mean anything to you, then you aren’t a real Quarter-miler.  One day, that number (or lower) will be the 100 meter freestyle swim record.

It was ten years ago today, Michael Johnson set the Men’s 400-meter world record in Seville.

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

Unfortunately he hurt his hamstring with that 100% all out effort (which resulted in not running the 4×400 meter relay), 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, which was a straight final invitational meet, Johnson went through the usual rounds with ease.

In the Seville 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 below.  Note how he splits 300m in 32.0 in the SF and 31.5 in the Finals.

Who and When will this record be broken?

LaShawn Merritt?  Jeremy Wariner?  Usain Bolt?

Michael Johnson 43.95 Semi-Finals, 1999 World Championships, Seville

Michael Johnson 43.18 Finals and World Record, 1999 World Championships, Seville