Johnson Runs Toward Rare Sprint Double

Michael Johnson stayed on course for his sprint double at the USA-Mobil Championships on Saturday, while track and field’s world governing body failed to help his bid for such a feat at next year’s Olympics.

Johnson, winner of the national 400-meter title Friday night in 43.66 seconds, the fourth-fastest ever, began his chase for the 200 championship by winning his opening-round heat in a wind-aided 20.21, then zipping to a 1995 world-leading 20.04 clocking in the semifinals to move into Sunday’s final.

The only male runner to sweep the two long sprints at the national championships was Maxey Long in 1899.