Why I snubbed Michael Johnson’s comments – Tobi Amusan’s father

Kehinde Amusan, the father of world champion and record holder Tobi Amusan has admonished Nigerian’s to overlook the claims made by the American track legend Michael Johnson, in the rouse of his daughter’s sensational record at the World Athletics Championships in Oregon Monday

Tobi Amusan cruised to victory in 12.12secs in the semi-final of the women’s 100 metres hurdles to overtook Kendra Harrison’s 2016 world record by 0.08secs, before cruising to get Nigeria’s first ever World Championships gold in a sensational wind-assisted 12.06secs in the final in Oregon.

But Michael Johnson took exception to the times recorded in the stadium on Monday, in which 12 athletes – including Tobi Amusan – out of 24 semi-finalists recorded their best times ever in the event.

Michael Johnson, the 54-year-old, who had won four Olympic gold and eight World Championships gold in a sensational track career, took to Twitter after noticing how many athletes “looked surprised” at their own times.

But he was immediately tackled with a lot of criticism from Nigerians on Twitter.

Tobi Amusan’s father, Mr Kehinde Amusan stated that the American’s (Michael Johnson’s) comments should be overlooked.

“We all the western world and how they think and behave, you should know what they are,” Kehinde Amusan stated.

“Right now, I feel undisturbed about what he (Michael Johnson) said after the event because God has done what He always does. I don’t mind whatever anyone comments or says about the timing, I feel that is how the western world is but they are not God.

“So, he is eligible to his opinion. I won’t take it as an offence at all because I believe that’s what these black Americans do.
Also, Tobi Amusan’s youth coach, Mr Ayodele Solaja, who had trained the 25-year-old while she was a student at the Our Lady of Apostles, Ijebu Ode, said Michael Johnson and other Americans were jealous of Tobi Amusan, following her victory.