Why Michael Johnson's gold shoes became one of the most enduring images of the Atlanta 1996 Olympic Games

American retired sprinter was already making headlines before he even started competing at the because it was the first time the four-time Olympic champion headed into any competition with the trademark Golden Shoes.

, his sponsor, had crafted a pair of gold running spikes for him. The then 28-year-old became known as ‘The Man With the Golden Shoes’ and expectations rose.

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The 400m was the first of Johnson’s events in Atlanta and he won it in a blistering 43.49 seconds. This time not only secured him the gold medal but also set a new Olympic record, solidifying his status as the fastest 400m runner in history at that time.

Just days later, Johnson returned to the track for the 200m. He faced a strong field of sprinters, including Namibia’s , who had triumphed in a battle between the pair just a few weeks beforehand.

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But, once again, Johnson’s performance was nothing short of spectacular. He exploded out of the blocks and, by the time he reached the home straight, it was clear he was going to win. Johnson crossed the finish line in 19.32 seconds, shattering his own world record and winning the gold medal by a significant margin.

He had even run the second half in an unbelievable time of 9.2 seconds — a third of a second faster than Bolt’s current 100m world record of 9.58.

Johnson actually suffered a hamstring injury during this remarkable run, ruling him out of the 4x400m and the possibility of a third gold medal. But his success in the 200m and 400m meant his gold shoes became one of the most enduring images of the Atlanta 1996 Olympic Games.

Johnson’s success in track and field continued with two more 400m world titles before the .

Then aged 33, Johnson was desperate to defend both his 200m and 400m title, but he failed to qualify for the shorter distance after suffering an injury during US trials. He was still successful in the 400m, however, earning his fourth Olympic gold medal.