"Michael Johnson is such a self important joke"- Hunter Woodhall slams the legendary athlete for claims about 'saving track'

Paralympic champion Hunter Woodhall has called out Michael Johnson for his claims on 'saving track'. The former sprinting legend had made these comments in a recent conversation with BBC.

When asked about the absence of field events from Grand Slam Track League, Johnson stated:

"Grand Slam Track is track, that is what we're doing. I am going to save what I think I can save; I think I can save track, I don't think I can save track and field."

"Putting the two together works at the Olympics and World Championships, but I'm not sure it works when you're trying to create a professional sport outside of those global competitions," he added.

Johnson was slammed for his take by several field athletes, including discus thrower Valerie Allman, long jumper Tara Davis-Woodhall and her husband Hunter Woodhall. The Paralympic champion commented:

"Michael Johnson is such a self important joke. Bro we don't need you for saving anything."

Screengrab of Hunter Woodhall's comment [Image Source : Instagram]

Apart from Hunter Woodhall, sprinter Christian Coleman had also called out Johnson over his claims of 'saving' track and field. He posted a one word-reaction on his Instagram story,

"Loll"

Woodhall won the gold medal in the men's 400m [T64] at the Paris Paralympics 2024. He recently supported his wife Tara Davis-Woodhall, when she slammed Michael Johnson for his opinion on track and field, despite the criticism from a section of social media users.

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Hunter Woodhall writes an emotional note for wife Tara Davis-Woodhall on Thanksgiving

Hunter Woodhall posts an emotional note on Thanksgiving for Tara Davis-Woodhall [Image Source : Getty]

Hunter Woodhall recently penned an emotional note for his wife Tara Davis-Woodhall on the occasion of Thanksgiving. He wrote on his Instagram story,

“Thankful for getting to live this life with you. Thankful to get home with you. Thankful for the way you love me. Thankful for you. I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving. Safe travels home if you’re on the road.”

The Woodhall couple had recently reacted to the comments made by Michael Johnson over the exclusion of field events in the upcoming Grand Slam Track League. Tara Davis-Woodhall called out Johnson as she commented,

"About my sport, it doesn't need saving at all. It's actually Michael you're ruining this sport, if you're trying to save just track, it's track and field for a reason. We don't need your saving, you're long gone, your time is passed. If you wanted to change the sport, you should've changed it a long time ago instead you were skipping all of the sports."

Hunter Woodhall backed her as he mentioned,

"Stop coming back because no one cares to be honest and we're doing just fine, we're doing great."

The Woodhalls are currently in Kansas, where Tara Davis-Woodhall has joined the Kansas State University as the assistant coach. The Olympic champion long jumper did this on the recommendation of her longtime coach Travis Geopfert, who is also the director of track and field / cross country at Kansas State University.