Allen JOHNSON

Allen Johnson was a high hurdler who ran at three Olympics, and is always in the discussion of the greatest hurdlers of all-time. Johnson ran in college at the University of North Carolina, graduating in 1993, where he was second in the NCAA Meet as a senior and third as a junior. Johnson won gold at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, but it was his record at the World Championships for which he is best remembered.

Johnson won five medals in the 110 hurdles at the Worlds, including four golds in 1995, 1997, 2001, and 2003, followed by a bronze in 2005. Johnson also won the World Indoor title over the 60 metre hurdles in 1995, 2003, and 2004. He was a seven-time US Champion, winning in 1996-97, 2000-03, and 2005. Johnson set two American records in the 110s, twice recording 12.92 in the summer of 1996.

Johnson later became a coach, first as an assistant at the University of South Carolina, then coaching the sprinters and hurdlers at the US Air Force Academy, and later at North Carolina State. He was the 1997 Jesse Owens Award Winner, and was given the USATF/Visa Humanitarian Award in 1999.