Michael Johnson

Perhaps one of the greatest Olympic sprinters of all time, and certainly the best 400 meter runner ever, Michael Johnson was dubbed "the world's fastest man" after his record-shattering performance at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, GA. Born on Sept. 13, 1967 in Dallas, TX, Johnson was raised the youngest of five children and attended Skyline High School, where he first began running track. After graduating in 1986, he went to Baylor University and began to excel under the tutelage of coach Clyde Hart. While at Baylor, Johnson made his mark by breaking the school's record for the 200m sprint in his very first race. Though sidelined soon after with a hamstring injury, he returned to help Baylor win several NCAA titles in both indoor and outdoor sprints and relays. When he turned professional in 1990, Johnson won 13 consecutive 200m races and quickly became the number one ranked sprinter in the world.