Michael Johnson believes the present generation of American athletes such as Noah Lyles and Sha’Carri Richardson aren’t in the elite league yet of transcending track and field.
Sprint legend Michael Johnson has challenged the current generation of American athletes, including Noah Lyles and Sha’Carri Richardson, to consider what is necessary to elevate the sport and achieve enduring stardom, similar to what his generation and those before it accomplished.
In a series of tweets on his X page, the former 200m and 400m World Record (WR) holder stated his opinion on how only a few American athletes impacted their generation beyond track and field.
Legendary American sprinter Michael Johnson.
“Only a handful of American track & field athletes have transcended the sport to greater lasting stardom. Jesse Owens, Edwin Moses, Bruce (Caitlyn) Jenner, Carl Lewis, Jackie Joyner-Kersee, FloJo, and me. What do we all have in common? And who will be next?,” wrote the Grand Slam Track boss.
 "Be Unique: Michael Johnson highlights how Noah Lyles and Sha'Carri Richardson can transcend the sport to lasting stardom 2")
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The controversial statement will thereafter receive several reactions, with many fans asking him to expatiate his thoughts, and why Lyles, Richardson, legendary Allyson Felix, and women’s 400mH WR holder Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone should also be in the conversation.
Johnson will then provide additional context for his statement in a series of tweets.
Michael Johnson believes American athletes aren’t doing enough to transcend the sport
“These two words are critical here: “transcend” and “lasting.”
“It’s incredibly difficult for an American track & field athlete to achieve widespread notoriety outside the track and sports world for decades beyond your career. Those who have achieved performances that were extraordinary, unprecedented, and history-making, and with exception of Jenner, won multiple OLY gold medals.
 "Be Unique: Michael Johnson highlights how Noah Lyles and Sha'Carri Richardson can transcend the sport to lasting stardom 4")
On a prestigious list of most influential female athletes in 2025, Sha’Carri Richardson was highly ranked behind Simone Biles, while Saint Lucia’s Olympic hero Julien Alfred was missing.
He added that all accomplished their extraordinary feats with an AUTHENTIC memorable, and unique style or under a unique circumstance.”
While Johnson provides valid explanations, it is evident that icons such as Felix and McLaughlin-Levrone meet all the criteria he outlined and should have been included.
Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone is currently one of the top stars and unarguably the greatest female 400m hurdler in history
Furthermore, Lyles and Richardson are currently a force in this generation and aren’t far away from attaining such height in the near future.
Johnson’s statement could be seen as controversial in some way, however, Richardson, Lyles, and the present generation of American athletes can use it as fuel to propel themselves to extraordinary feats, surpassing previous records set by Johnson and their predecessors.
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