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Donovan Bailey and Michael Johnson took to track in determining the fastest man in the world.
Two champions in Michael Johnson and Donovan Bailey took to the track in what was dubbed the clash of champions to determine the World's Fastest Man in 1997, Toronto.
100m champion Bailey and 200m champion Johnson were set to race one-on-one over 150m, the midway point between the distances in which the pair have built their careers.
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The desire to find out who the fastest man was was born out of the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. As at the games, Bailey won gold by breaking the 100m world record (clocking 9.84 seconds). Likewise, Johnson shattered his 200m world record (19.32) in his famous golden shoes in Atlanta.
The two incredible results from the sprinters, left people wondering who the fastest out of the two was and so a decision to race the next year was made.
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For Bailey however, the suggestion Johnson could even earn that title was ridiculous. “You know Michael, if you want to be the fastest man in the world, run the 100m,” the Jamaican-born Canadian said in pre-race clips that were broadcast to 2.584 million people in Canada on CBC according to talkSPORT.
Johnson himself was bullish in the lead-up to the race: “If I go out there and win, which I fully expect to, I consider myself still the fastest man in the world,” said the American, with an extra emphasis on the word “still.”
The time to race came on June 1, 1997 as the pair took to their positions on a purpose-built 150m track and the starting pistol fired for what was one of the most highly-anticipated races in history.
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Bailey, who was given the inside of the two lanes, flew away and overtook Johnson, who was known for his ability to turn in races. As the Canadian stormed to victory, he turned his head backwards to catch a glimpse of Johnson.
Upon looking, he realised the American was nowhere to be found, having pulled up injured with half the race left to run. So with such a controversial ending, Bailey's victory was now tainted with the fact Johnson could not finish the race.
“He didn’t pull up at all; he’s just a chicken. He’s afraid to lose. I think what he should do is run this race over again, so I can kick his ass one more time," Bailey said. Johnson decline to comment if he was genuinely injured and also refused to shoot back at Bailey's insults.
It turned out Johnson was injured with a strained left quadriceps and it caused him to miss the U.S. Championships later that summer. Both Bailey and Johnson received a $500,000 fee for the race, with an additional million dollars given to the winner.
It means that Bailey, who finished the race in 14.99 seconds, earned over $100,000 for every second run.
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