DARREN CAMPBELL, the 200 metres silver medalwinner in Sydney, and Michael Johnson, the three-time Olympic champion and BBC commentator, had a spat in an Athens nightclub after Johnson suggested on television that the sprinter was feigning a hamstring injury.
Johnson’s comments came after the semi-final on Wednesday in which Campbell was eliminated. “No one said he’s not a great sprinter, but he’s not in shape, so why not say that?” Johnson said. “If you pull a hamstring you are out for six weeks. I felt bad for Darren coming off the track wincing, but then he said he was going to run the semi-final. I felt that I’d been taken advantage of as a viewer and a supporter of Darren.”
Campbell was aware of Johnson’s comments and approached him that evening. “I am not happy with what you’ve been saying about me,” Campbell said.
“That’s my opinion,” Johnson replied.
“Are you saying that I’m lying?” Campbell said.
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“Yes,” Johnson said, and walked off.
Campbell has continued his protest. “It’s disgraceful. I tore my hamstrings and if he wants to see the scans, he can,” he said. “I don’t lie.”
Bryan English, the athletics team doctor, said: “I support Darren. What has been said is unfair and misinformed.”