ACOG - News - IBM

(29 July 1996; Day 4)

400m Races Produce Olympic Sparks

A pair of superior 400 meter performances electrified a huge Olympic Stadium crowd on the fourth night of athletics competition.

There were no empty seats in the stadium, with a capacity crowd anticipating Michael JOHNSON's (USA) run in the 400, the first half of his goal for a sprint double. He will shoot for a second gold in the 200 meters, when qualifying begins on Wednesday.

But the stage was supremely set by the elegant performance of France's Marie-Jose PEREC. Her race, beginning just 35 minutes before the widely publicized appearance of JOHNSON, was almost overlooked before partisan United States' fans.

Unfazed by the lack of attention, PEREC turned in the sixth fastest 400m ever, and she became the third fastest performer of all-time. Her winning time of 48.25 seconds was the fastest lap since 1986, when the taint of drug enhanced efforts hung over the sport. And it looked so easy, with the long striding PEREC sweeping around the bend to turn back the fine 48.63 effort of Australia's Cathy FREEMAN.

"Before the final, I thought we would definitely break the 49-second goal, but not with such a great margin," said PEREC.

"After 300 meters, making my last surge, I just felt like I was flying," she continued.

PEREC's triumph was met with limited reaction, with few realizing its importance. But there was hardly a lull in noise as soon as JOHNSON strode onto the track. He was everybody's favorite, and there was speculation that he would go under 43 seconds. With the pickup he showed at the 200m point, that reasoning was not too far off the mark. Even silver medalist Roger BLACK (GBR) suspected it might happen, observing, "I thought he would get the world record tonight, but Michael knew this was probably one of the easiest races to win this year."

JOHNSON was a mere .20 seconds off the world mark, but he felt that the timing has to be right and that historical efforts can't be called up on demand. "I'm not disappointed I didn't get the world record. There will be other world record opportunities."

Now the goal is a 200m gold medal for JOHNSON, an event in which last month he set the world best. He said, "Now I'm going to move on to the 200. I have about 48 hours to get ready. I only need two hours."

PEREC is thinking the same thoughts and also will pursue the double. "I decided to double after my early season win of 22.29 seconds. Now I will go for the second gold," she said.

This is an official publication of the Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games Sports Publications Department. Written by Brett Ayers.


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