Johnson was recognized as the top amateur athlete in the US after a dominant performance at the 1996 Olympics. Johnson became the first track and field athlete to win gold medals in both the 200 meter and 400 meter dash.
Johnson was one of the most decorated athletes in the world of track in the 1990s, setting the world record in the 200 meter dash, before it was broken by Usain Bolt a decade later. Johnson was also named the Sportsman of the Year by the US Olympic Committee later that year.
Unfortunately, his accomplishments are tainted, as it was discovered that he had used performance-enhancing drugs during his career. Johnson handed back his gold medals to appease the International Olympic Committee.
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