The former American athlete was a luxury guest at the 12th Inclusive Sports Week, organized by Fundación Sanitas in Vallehermoso
MADRID, 25 Oct. (EUROPA PRESS) –
Former American athlete Michael Johnson said this Wednesday that “a pair of shoes does not help you run faster than another person with the same technology”, thus defending the Kenyan Kelvin Kiptum and the Ethiopian Tigfs Assefa, after the controversy generated by their equipment for beating recently two marathon world records.
“Shoes and equipment of course are important, but shoes don’t make athletes run faster than they are capable of running. So athletes deserve a little credit,” Johnson said during the 12th Sports Week. Inclusive, organized by Fundación Sanitas at the Vallehermoso Stadium (Madrid).
“Obviously, sneakers are a huge benefit when that innovation comes along. But I don’t think you can discredit athletes. One pair of sneakers doesn’t help you run faster than someone else who has the same technology, so you have to give credit. to those who win by having beaten other athletes when everyone has access to the same equipment,” reiterated the former American sprinter.
In addition, he praised Assefa’s record achieved in Berlin. “It was incredible. It’s incredible what we see right now in the marathon. And I think we’re going to continue to see women running even faster and faster in the marathon. But equally on the men’s side, look what Kiptum just did “, argued ‘Duck’ Johnson.
“The marathon right now is probably more exciting than it has been in many years. But it’s not just about the times, it’s also about the competition. There are some great athletes in a few minutes and I think we will continue to see those battles in the coming years,” he added before recalling his great moment at the 1999 World Cup in Seville.
“It’s always great to come back to Spain as I’ve had some of my best moments here. In the end, looking at my career, breaking the world record in the 400 meters here in Spain was fantastic. In Barcelona [1992] It had a bit of mixed feelings for me, but it was still a great experience. So it’s always good to come back here,” she admitted.
On the other hand, the ‘Duck’ gave his predictions for Paris 2024. “There are some great athletes who have already won the Olympic Games and will seek to repeat next year. But at the same time there will be new stars, as always happens. We also have the Paralympic Games and someone here is going to try to win a gold medal again,” alluded to the Spanish runner Adiaratou Iglesias.
“Everyone always tries to do the best they can and this is great because everyone gives their best version in the Olympic and Paralympic Games,” added Johnson, and then analyzed in perspective his stellar achievements in events of 200 meters, 400 meters and 4×400 meters.
When asked how he would like to be remembered, he responded bluntly “as an athlete.” “I believe that at this point I am already remembered, and it has been 23 years since I retired and left the sport. I am comfortable with the legacy that I have left in the sport, but I have had my time and now the focus is on this new generation of athletes,” he explained.
In this sense, he pointed to a possible record holder in his country. “If you have to pick someone, with a good chance, Noah Lyles; but it’s a very difficult record. Maybe we won’t see anyone break that record for a while… But hey, or maybe we’ll see someone break it next year. Once athletes reach a level, the next generation of athletes will focus on that, so you never know,” he concluded.
Joining the legendary former athlete at the photocall was Iñaki Peralta, president of the Sanitas Foundation. “The Sanitas Foundation began years ago to work on this new type of sport, which is for people with disabilities to compete at the same time with people without disabilities,” he indicated.
“A sport that is inclusive generates a lot of happiness for all those who have practiced it. I stay with the words of ‘Pincho’ Ortega. He says that I hope more people have the same opportunities that he had and that they can be considered sporting and recognized “, said Peralta.
Vallehermoso hosted an inclusive relay race with Olympians and Paralympians. Tigst Assefa and Adiaratou Iglesias themselves participated along with Eva Moral, Mo Katir, Bruno Hortelano and Gerard Descárrega, among others. Five teams completed 2,024 meters to present the II Inclusive Games, which will be held in 2024. Miguel Carballeda, president of the Spanish Paralympic Committee (CPE), served as host in the company of Alejandro Blanco, president of the Spanish Olympic Committee (COE).