Sports

Four-Time Olympic Gold Medalist: Slavery Descendants Have a ‘Superior Athletic Gene’

Olympic Gold Medal Sprinter Michael Johnson Slavery Descendants Superior Athletic Gene

Michael Johnson set a new world record time of 19.32 in the men's 200 meters at the 1996 Summer Olympic Games in Atlanta. (AP File Photo)

Four-time Olympic gold medalist Michael Johnson said he believes the reason black athletes tend to dominate certain competitions is because the descendants of slaves have a “superior athletic gene.”

The retired American sprinter, who recently traced his lineage back to West Africa as part of a British documentary, told the Daily Mail slavery has left “an imprint through the generations.”

“Over the last few years, athletes of Afro-Caribbean and Afro-American descent have dominated athletics finals,” Johnson said. “It’s a fact that hasn’t been discussed openly before. It’s a taboo subject in the States but it is what it is. Why shouldn’t we discuss it?”

The Mail explained:

Some scientists believe a combination of selective breeding by slave owners and appalling conditions meant that only the strongest slaves endured, creating a group predisposed to record-breaking athletic performance.

African slaves underwent a rigorous selection process and only the fittest were transported on ships.

“All my life I believed I became an athlete through my own determination, but it’s impossible to think that being descended from slaves hasn’t left an imprint through the generations,” Johnson said. “Difficult as it was to hear, slavery has benefited descendants like me – I believe there is a superior athletic gene in us.”

As Yahoo! Sports observed, it took about a week for Johnson’s comments to gain notice in the U.S.:

For good reason: It’s a third rail topic in the States. Even intelligent debate on the subject runs the risk of becoming controversial. Any statement is treated as polarizing.

The comments section on the Daily Mail piece is a fine example. Either Johnson is a hero for bringing his views to light or he’s ignorant for his “trash” beliefs. There’s no middle ground in a topic like this.

Comments (171)

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  • OKLAPatriot
    Posted on July 5, 2012 at 6:28pm

    They can run but can they run a country, any country? Name me one successfully run majority black country. Racist or fact?

    OKLAPatriot  
    • RightUnite
      Posted on July 5, 2012 at 7:04pm

      Well, I think we’ve already seen proof that they fail miserably running a country.

      Report Post »  
    • chips1
      Posted on July 5, 2012 at 7:36pm

      What about Shiela Jackson Lee. OH!!! I’m sorry. I thought she was a country. My bad.

      Report Post »  
    • VoteBushIn12
      Posted on July 5, 2012 at 7:48pm

      Any country we name you are simply going to denounce as not being “Successful” because the standard is arbitrary.

      But I’ll play your game. Obama is Black, the country is he running is a leader of the world. Please refute.

      Report Post » VoteBushIn12  
    • Exrepublisheep
      Posted on July 5, 2012 at 7:50pm

      @oklapatriot. Why would you go off topic just to insult an entire race? Never mind, it’s obvious….

      Report Post » Exrepublisheep  
    • Secret Squirrel
      Posted on July 5, 2012 at 8:28pm

      .
      Didn’t Howard Cosell get fired for saying the same thing?

      Secret Squirrel  
    • Secret Squirrel
      Posted on July 5, 2012 at 8:32pm

      .
      “But I’ll play your game. Obama is Black, the country is he running is a leader of the world. Please refute.”
      1. Obama is half black, his mother was white.
      2. Many would argue that he is doing a half a.. , um, poor job of running the country.
      3. “Obama ain’t got no slave blood”. Simply quoting a black leader.

      Checkmate.

      Report Post » Secret Squirrel  
    • GPS-Tech
      Posted on July 5, 2012 at 8:33pm

      @Votebush
      Up until 09 it was whites running the United States and got it to where it was. Obama is running this country into the ground just like all the other black leaders in Africa did. You should check your comments for errors before you post moron.

      Report Post » GPS-Tech  
    • GPS-Tech
      Posted on July 5, 2012 at 8:38pm

      Actually American blacks descended from slaves are much more muscular than the African immigrants that I have seen here in Houston. I have also found the African immigrants to be far less aggressive and they tend carry themselves in a much more dignified manner.

      Report Post » GPS-Tech  
    • black9897
      Posted on July 5, 2012 at 8:42pm

      Come on man. BO isn’t black, he’s mixed. Even if he was doesn’t mean one black person determines how all black people would “run the country.”

      Report Post » black9897  
    • Walkabout
      Posted on July 5, 2012 at 8:44pm

      OKLAPatriot

      American blacks are different than Africans who were their cousins or neighboring tribe. Maybe the neighboring tribe didn’t have more strength or hardier constitution. But they had to have something , because they defeated a tribe & sold the survivors into slavery.

      Maybe the Winners, who stayed African, were smarter or worked together more effectively than the slaves who came to America.

      But evolution can be swift. The slaves mixed with some whites. Those whom got bad white genes & bad African genes probably died off pretty quick. But those with good white genes & African genes maybe stronger & smarter than the former African vanquishers.

      DNA will soon tell.

      Anyway genes only take you so far. Memes can over come good genetics any day of the week if you let them. The left is full of bad memes.

      Too bad the majority of blacks were not like Walter E. Williams. America would be super power still.

      He was just on Rush’s Show. I think Walter Rush & Gordon Liddy are the 3 best radio hosts.

      Report Post »  
    • RomneyWordsworth
      Posted on July 5, 2012 at 8:45pm

      Okla…you sir, are an idiot. No further debate or comments are necessary, or worthy of anyone’s time.

      I’ll spare you the usual retort you moron. I’m a white, southern, Christian, republican, conservative/libertarian, homeschooling, gun owning American.

      Report Post » RomneyWordsworth  
    • Amica
      Posted on July 5, 2012 at 9:04pm

      Secret Squirrel:
      It was Jimmie the Greek.

      Report Post » Amica  
    • mikenleeds
      Posted on July 5, 2012 at 9:48pm

      fact , if they don t like my America they can go back to where they came from ,
      no welfare in Africa and they all have aids and starving to death

      mikenleeds  
    • teaisstronger
      Posted on July 5, 2012 at 10:38pm

      NO, BETTER LUNGS AND HEARTS, BLACKS ARE NOT SUPER.

      Kenyans usually win long distance races in the Olympics. The only thing that gave Africans appeal as slaves was that they were immune to Malaria. Ahh Japan does not usually win basketball Olympic medals. Russians win gymnastics Gold because their athletes train from the time they can walk.

      Report Post »  
    • mharry860
      Posted on July 5, 2012 at 11:51pm

      Well no, but I can name a whole list of blacks who could run our country just fine. They’re a real small minority of blacks, but wait. How well are the white’s running this country? Oh yeah, I could name a whole list of white’s that could run our country just fine, unfortunately, it‘s a small minority of white’s.

      Report Post » mharry860  
    • Reesie
      Posted on July 6, 2012 at 12:59am

      It is not the level of pigment in our skin that determines intelligence or leadership abilities. According to the Bible, we are all of the same blood and we all have the same “color” skin, just varying degrees of melanin, the pigment. I am the first person to despise what Obama has done to our country and what he is doing and I want him voted out of office so bad I can’t sleep at night sometimes…with that being said…it has nothing to do with the level of color pigment in his skin. It has to do with the fact that he was raised by a Communist mother, a Marxist, Islamic father, and a Marxist, Islamic stepfather, and by his grandparents. I don‘t know if they were Communists like their daughter but I’m guessing they were because they raised her and look how she turned out. Anyway, it was the worldview that he was taught that is the problem with him and liberal, “progrressives”, which is code word for Communist. Anyway, there are great “black” (or darker pigmented) men and women that I would vote for in a minute to be President or to lead this country: Allen West, Deroy Murdock, Thomas Sowell, Herman Cain, Star Parker, Jesse L. Peterson, Condoleezza Rice

      Report Post »  
    • One1
      Posted on July 6, 2012 at 2:23am

      Slave owners would never have bred their slaves to run fast. I‘m black and that’s funny as hell.

      Report Post »  
    • BOMUSTGO
      Posted on July 6, 2012 at 6:41am

      One1..lol.

      Report Post » BOMUSTGO  
    • historyguy48
      Posted on July 6, 2012 at 6:52am

      Comrade, can you outrun a lion or tiger? See, that’s why the majority of NFL and NBA players are black.
      Run a country, no problem. Look at the wonderful job King Obama the First has done.
      After 225 years he has been successful in running this country into the ground!
      And that is EXACTLY WHAT HE INTENDED TO DO!
      FOOLS; HE TOLD YOU WHAT HE WAS GOING TO DO, JUST LIKE HITLER TOLD THE GERMANS WHAT HE WAS GOING TO DO!

      Report Post » historyguy48  
    • progressiveslayer
      Posted on July 6, 2012 at 8:31am

      VOTEBUSHIN12 Yes the mulatto is running this country alright,he’s running it into the ground.

      Report Post » progressiveslayer  
    • OKLAPatriot
      Posted on July 6, 2012 at 10:34am

      I waited until this morning to check replies. Lots of name calling and accusations of racism but not one answer to my question. I guarantee you I’m not a racist, but I AM curious as to why a black athlete would brag about his superior genetics. Now that is racism…. I challenge each one of you that called me a racist to read a little history and come back here to report. Just one country.

      Admittedly, I like Herman Cain a lot, and there are a bunch of really good black leaders in America. Is that racism?

      Think about it…..

      Report Post » OKLAPatriot  
    • the crazies
      Posted on July 6, 2012 at 11:05am

      it was Jimmy the Greek that said the same thing and was fired for it. As to your Country question…South Africa is doing pretty well. They have just recently been hit with the recession the rest of the world has been experiencing but they overall have been decent. There is always room for improvement and their problem is the attitude of “getting back” at the former white regime. This in the long run will hurt them if they done correct course.

      Report Post »  
    • the crazies
      Posted on July 6, 2012 at 11:14am

      interestingly enough for all the complaining black leaders do about slavery (and i agree it was horrific) can they imagine what their lives would be like today if their great, great, great grandparents weren’t forcibly brought here??? my group has been all over africa and i cant think of a single part that isnt in complete and utter turmoil with disease, poverty, civil unrest, etc, etc, etc. Black leadership (sharpton, jasckson, rangel) have been doing their people a disservice for decades. Instead of seeking FREE stuff they should have been preaching self reliance and thanking GOD they were here and not foraging for food and water on the serengeti. Ben Franklin said it best..”to beat poverty..you must make people uncomfortable in their poverty.”

      Report Post »  
    • Man-On-A-Mission
      Posted on July 6, 2012 at 12:22pm

      So blacks are to stupid and incapable to run this country. Do you forget whom invented blood transfusions, heart trans-plant, stop lights and refrigeration to name a few……please don’t blame it on blacks because you do not believe in the policies of the President.

      We are just as bright and more athletic and our will is as strong or stronger….just ask the Germans……we fight for our Country just like you.

      Report Post »  
    • OKLAPatriot
      Posted on July 6, 2012 at 1:12pm

      @manonamission
      I never said anyone was stupid and I thank you for your service as well as our other brothers and sisters. You can thank me also….Navy. As for South Africa……I’m thinking the British had a lot to do with initial success of that country, time will tell on the future. Ok folks, that’s all for now. Get out those history books and start reading.

      Report Post » OKLAPatriot  
    • G-WHIZ
      Posted on July 6, 2012 at 2:07pm

      only RACIST IF WHITY SAYS IT!!

      Report Post »  
    • knockered
      Posted on July 6, 2012 at 2:53pm

      Didn’t Jimmy the greek get in lots of trouble years ago for stating that same comment. Funny when a black man states it, its ok, when a white man states it he is riuned for life for saying it. It is true there is still alot of animal left in their blood from the jungle whence they came..

      Report Post »  
    • gtropix
      Posted on July 6, 2012 at 3:49pm

      Jimmy the Greek was the one that got fired for saying the same thing Michael Johnson said.

      Report Post » gtropix  
    • disenlightened
      Posted on July 6, 2012 at 5:37pm

      Where’s Jimmy the Greek when you need him?

      Report Post » disenlightened  
  • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
    Posted on July 5, 2012 at 6:28pm

    Talk about racism in its most bared form. Shish…

    Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • sawbuck
      Posted on July 5, 2012 at 7:18pm

      That begs the question..
      Can a someone from China ..talk about ‘bent armor’…?

      Report Post » sawbuck  
    • Weiners Wiener
      Posted on July 5, 2012 at 7:30pm

      No, this is NOT racism. Racism imparts some bias. He’s stating the obvious. Just as differences in hair and skin color are based on genetics, so too are differences in musculature and bone skeletal structure. I hate it when people apply racism to every little thing. This man is talking science. Another point — when slaves were bought and bred like livestock, how do you suppose they were chosen? “Give me that skinny one over there, he looks like he’ll get tired easily..” ?? No. They were chosen for their physical traits that made them more desirable. We are seeing the effects of that now.

      Report Post »  
    • marcus_arealius
      Posted on July 5, 2012 at 8:05pm

      @ Wiener man : The point is NOT science. The point here is that if white person or white athlete were to say exactly the same thing, he/she would be called a racist and run out of the sport. It is accepted that genetics plays a part in physical achievement, and some of those genes may be carried predominantly by a particular race. (For example whites can carry sickle cell anemia however it is rare).. So I would say the statement is non-racist if it were to stand alone outside of the current social context, however we are in an extreme condition of politically based racism and anything said, true or not will be labeled racist if a non-liberal emits it.

      Report Post »  
  • Ari Ben TZion
    Posted on July 5, 2012 at 6:27pm

    Well, many Africans were sold into slavery by other Africans.

    So, does that mean that Africans and descents of Africans are predisposed to be S.O.B’s and P.O.S’s?

    Um – Ok, that explains a lot.

    Report Post » Ari Ben TZion  
  • sillyfreshness
    Posted on July 5, 2012 at 6:27pm

    Remember when Jimmy “The Greek” said this stuff in 1987 and he was fired? There is truth to what this guy is saying. I’ve noticed blacks in this country are naturally more muscular than your average other race. It’s because of selective breeding. Just go to Africa and you’ll see the blacks over there to be much thinner and not these muscular hulks running around like here in the US. Let’s face it. Slavery was evil and those slave owners were short sighted. They never thought about a few generations forward where you would have these black hulks running around demanding that whitey owes them. You could say it‘s payback if it wasn’t for the fact that no whites of today had anything to do with slavery. Moreover, these blacks in the US have totally forgotten that it was whites that freed them from slavery. Now Bolshevik have pooled all whites into “all whites are racist” pool. It’s okay to make blanket assumptions like that about whites, however. Now blacks, you aren‘t allowed any kind of negative thought about them or you’re automatically a racist. Bolshevism has taken over the US.

    Report Post » sillyfreshness  
    • cmonnow
      Posted on July 6, 2012 at 12:19am

      and now all the bigoted Blazers are left to cower in fear…. explains a lot

      Report Post »  
    • cmonnow
      Posted on July 6, 2012 at 12:49am

      lol at Blazers comparing this to Jimmy the Greek. if you listen to what he said, ol Jimmy was calling for affirmative action for whites in sports because he basically was stating that they aren’t good enough to perform with blacks.

      totally not the same thing.

      Report Post »  
  • normalmom
    Posted on July 5, 2012 at 6:26pm

    Uh no, Michael it may be in the genes, but not just the ones whose ancestors were slaves. Not every black person in the US or around the world are descendents of slaves.

    Report Post »  
    • DonaldH
      Posted on July 5, 2012 at 6:40pm

      Read what he said,,,

      Report Post » DonaldH  
    • 9111315
      Posted on July 5, 2012 at 6:49pm

      Did he trace all his ancestors to slavery . . . or just one great great grand parent?

      Report Post »  
    • yonah
      Posted on July 9, 2012 at 3:06am

      The overwhelming majority of African-Americans and Blacks in the Carribean are descended from slaves.Immigration from Africa is a relatively new reality,the majority of whom are first generation Americans at the most.

      Report Post »  
  • soybomb315
    Posted on July 5, 2012 at 6:26pm

    Michael Johnson is right. Facts are stubborn things

    Report Post » soybomb315  
  • Glock31
    Posted on July 5, 2012 at 6:24pm

    its no secret that slaves were bred to produce ‘superior’ slaves. at least he has the balls to say it, its common sense

    Report Post » Glock31  
  • KangarooJack
    Posted on July 5, 2012 at 6:24pm

    …and WHERE IS the NAACP on this?????? A Black Olympiad deigns his White Mastah’s breeding techniques as a +++ ??? ….and stereotypes DON’T MATTER WHY?
    If he actually thought this out. I mean really put the brainpan to work, don‘t you think that attributing his OWN athletic prowness to controlled breeding via Master’s might give him a craw in his throat before he uttered his opinion???

    Report Post » KangarooJack  
  • DouglasD777
    Posted on July 5, 2012 at 6:24pm

    If you’ve been blessed with these genes, they won’t do you any good if do not use them. It still takes hard work and determination to achieve the levels of athletic greatness being talked about.

    Report Post »  
  • waterpro
    Posted on July 5, 2012 at 6:19pm

    The reply was not racist, in my opinion. Selective breeding has it’s points. I married a full blooded woman from the Philipines, for there family values, . Call me a redneck, The two of us have a wonderful future leader, for the world

    Report Post »  
  • RightPolitically
    Posted on July 5, 2012 at 6:18pm

    Jimmy the Greek must be spinning in his grave now!

    Report Post » RightPolitically  
  • servant100
    Posted on July 5, 2012 at 6:13pm

    “…superior athletic gene…” Ahh…Michael wouldn’t Josef Goebels be proud of you…same line different “master” race.

    Ah well to paraphrase Forest Gump..”racist is as racist does..”

    Report Post »  
    • Weiners Wiener
      Posted on July 5, 2012 at 7:31pm

      You need to look up the word ‘racism’. You’re not understanding it at all.

      Report Post »  
  • HKS
    Posted on July 5, 2012 at 6:13pm

    True statement but Jimmy the Greek was crucified for saying the same thing.

    Report Post » HKS  
    • klatoo
      Posted on July 5, 2012 at 6:22pm

      Jimmy was white or at least pretended to be.

      Report Post »  
  • waterpro
    Posted on July 5, 2012 at 6:12pm

    I did blaze, so??

    Report Post »  
  • Tigress1
    Posted on July 5, 2012 at 6:11pm

    I thought it was the gold sneakers that made him run fast!

    Report Post » Tigress1  
    • Zipit
      Posted on July 6, 2012 at 9:49am

      Loved the shoes and loved to watch Johnson run! He was great! As far his statement goes, he is entitled to his opinion Just don’t say that you are genetically smarter because you white, if that is your opinion, or you will be publicly flogged by the left. Either statement having no absolute proof!

      Report Post »  
  • fidel1234
    Posted on July 5, 2012 at 6:11pm

    Exactly I agree with him,just like the reason whites and Asians are smarter.

    Report Post »  
  • Ironmaan
    Posted on July 5, 2012 at 6:11pm

    Discussion should never be taboo or discouraged, unless those that are doing the talking are the brain dead Hollywood type. http://guerillatics.com/?p=39776

    Report Post »  
  • waterpro
    Posted on July 5, 2012 at 6:10pm

    Well I actually believe this has some truth. But it’s still racist, in nature. The speaker was not in his evaluation

    Report Post »  
    • Kupo
      Posted on July 5, 2012 at 6:22pm

      I don‘t think that it’s necessarily racist. What I DO believe is racist is that, as we all know, if it had been a white guy attributing some success to a racially-originating genetic superiority he would have been crucified as a white supremacist.

      Report Post » Kupo  
    • RightPolitically
      Posted on July 5, 2012 at 6:26pm

      Truth is not racist. Truth is, well, just TRUE.

      Report Post » RightPolitically  
  • Brae
    Posted on July 5, 2012 at 6:07pm

    Exactly…my first thought: tell that to jimmy the greek~~~

    Report Post » Brae  
  • Too_Far_Gone
    Posted on July 5, 2012 at 6:07pm

    Riunning from a package store holdup?

    Report Post » Too_Far_Gone  
    • marcus_arealius
      Posted on July 5, 2012 at 6:17pm

      Yes, the gene evolved by running from the big cats of Africa, only the fastest ones lived on to reproduce. Now finding themselves in a civilized society, they are trying to outrun a handgun round at 1000 fps.

      Report Post »  
    • Too_Far_Gone
      Posted on July 5, 2012 at 6:19pm

      lmao Thank You I needed that !

      Report Post » Too_Far_Gone  
  • bbhouston
    Posted on July 5, 2012 at 6:05pm

    Those thoughts cost Jimmy the Greek his livelyhood……

    Report Post »  
  • ohboyohboy
    Posted on July 5, 2012 at 6:05pm

    If it is now PC-approved “safe” to proclaim that genetics contribute to athletic success are we permitted to discuss how genetic IQ contibutes societal success and refer to how certain races score so poorly in that regard when compared to other races?

    Report Post »  
    • KangarooJack
      Posted on July 5, 2012 at 6:19pm

      Silly Person! NO NO it is NOT ‘PC’ to EVEN mention such a proposition! lol

      Report Post » KangarooJack  
  • Mike Benton
    Posted on July 5, 2012 at 6:04pm

    It may be politically incorrect, but it may also be true. And down through the early years of slavery the Blacks may have had better diets than the masters because they ate good stuff…green veggies, small game, etc.

    Report Post » Mike Benton  
    • RightUnite
      Posted on July 5, 2012 at 7:08pm

      He’s a gold meadalist for crying out loud, not a geneticist…. What the heck would he know about genetics??

      Report Post »  
    • chips1
      Posted on July 5, 2012 at 7:51pm

      Has he fathered 30 kids?

      Report Post »  
  • lel2007
    Posted on July 5, 2012 at 6:01pm

    Yet another black racist.

    Report Post » lel2007  
  • progressiveslayer
    Posted on July 5, 2012 at 6:00pm

    Jimmy the Greek got fired for complimenting blacks,I wonder what will happen to Johnson? LMAO

    Report Post » progressiveslayer  
    • RJJinGadsden
      Posted on July 5, 2012 at 6:14pm

      Apparently not the same thing. Remember, the likes of Chris Rock can say or do anything and get away with it. Oh yeah, Bill Maher too. Isn’t that the lib way?

      Report Post » RJJinGadsden  
    • progressiveslayer
      Posted on July 5, 2012 at 6:55pm

      Pretty much,libs can say and do anything with no consequences.

      Report Post » progressiveslayer  
    • The-Monk
      Posted on July 5, 2012 at 7:08pm

      @progressiveslayer
      “Pretty much,libs can say and do anything with no consequences.”

      No Earthly consequences….

      Report Post » The-Monk  
    • EqualJustice
      Posted on July 5, 2012 at 7:34pm

      I thought the same thing. Didn’t he mention they had been bred that way to be better workers or something? Would help explain Michelle O.

      Report Post » EqualJustice  
    • yonah
      Posted on July 9, 2012 at 3:13am

      Jimmy the Greek wasn’t asked his opinion and just blurted out what he was thinking.Michael is talking about a discussion about the role genetics has played in creating Black atheletes who excell at running and jumping.Keep in mind he didn’t say we are superior athletes in all sports,just some and in particular the sports events in which he excelled.

      Report Post »  
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