Olympics memory: Michael Johnson’s fashionable gold shoes (Yahoo! Contributor Network)
Olympics memory: Michael Johnson’s fashionable gold shoes (Yahoo! Contributor Network)
I was a teenager in 1996 during the Summer Olympics in Atlanta, so naturally I was conscious of fashion. The most fashionable athlete competing in the Olympics was one Michael Johnson: the track star with the gold shoes. Watching the games on TV, I was disappointed that I couldn’t go to Atlanta to witness everything in person. I was nevertheless captivated by the Olympics as usual, but the fact that it was happening in my own country made it all the more exciting. As members of the host country, Americans and our athletes were expected to be respectful to visitors and competitors. When Johnson showed up with gold Nikes, wearing his goal visibly, some criticized his arrogance. Others saw this as typical American behavior in a positive or negative way, as the shoes emphasized Johnson’s attitude of determination. As a teenager, I was hardly good at sports with my various allergies and indoor inclinations. However, I wasn’t so bad at running, so Johnson’s interest and determination in winning multiple gold medals interested me. In addition to Johnson’s loud choice in fashion, Johnson redefined track. A true champion, Johnson competed in multiple events as was not traditionally done at previous Olympics. Johnson won the 200 and 400 sprints at the Summer Olympics that year. During the Olympics, Johnson continually talked himself up’”but he proved victorious when he won his gold medals. As a teenager, I learned a great deal about confidence from Johnson. While some criticized him as a braggart, I realized that there is no fault in knowing your best abilities and being confident in your success. I went on to think about my top school subjects this way, and soon thereafter began taking voice lessons to increase my confidence on stage. Now a student pursuing a Masters degree, I feel that I still have something to learn from Johnson and his success. Following his athletic career, Johnson went on to found several business ventures. He’s also found time to maintain a positive relationship with his son and he’s used his influence around the world to help the less fortunate. All of Johnson’s eventual success began with a very specific dream. From one great success can come many things. Note: This article was written by a Yahoo! contributor. Sign up here to start publishing your own sports content.