American sprint legend weighs in on fans attacking their athlete's rival

The world of track and field has always seen fans join their athletes in beefing with their rivals and Michael Johnson believes it’s healthy for the sport but the extremes are not healthy.

The four-time Olympic champion noted that when it gets to a point where fans attack their favourite athlete’s rival, it now becomes toxic for the sport.

In a post on his X (Twitter) handle, the American sprint legend said: “The tribalism of sports fandom is great for sport! Would be great if people didn’t take it to extreme personal attacks on their athlete’s rival. I know I’m asking too much. Just saying…”

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The recent case of personal attacks came when Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce’s fans went after Sha’Carri Richardson seemingly copying her style of dressing and theme for an ad.

The five-time World champion had done an ad for Richard Mille wearing a green tracksuit with pink hair and Richardson also wore the same outfit when doing an ad with Whoop.

Angry fans noticed the move and it was now a battle between Fraser-Pryce’s fans and Richardson’s fans with the two athletes seemingly having no problem with each other.

Commenting on Johnson’s tweet, one X user said: “I remember when it was okay to like both or all in sports & other entertainment.

“Now you got to pick a camp/brand and follow till you bleed lol. I am a #USATF stan to my heart but I can appreciate other countries talent: SFP, Duplantis, that Canadian sprinter, etc. lol.”

Another user added a comment saying: “The Jamaicans attack Sha’Carri for anything she does. It’s ridiculous at this point.”