Michael Johnson, a four-time Olympic gold medalist sprinter, has been quoted as saying that he believes slave descendants make better athletes and that the controversial topic should not be avoided, but rather discussed openly.

Johnson, who is currently a BBC commentator, made the unofficial comments in a recent interview. It is unknown how it will affect his career however in 1988 a white CBS commentator, Jimmy Snyder, made similar comments and it cost him his job and his reputation.

“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. Difficult as it was to hear, slavery has benefited descendants like me — I believe there is a superior athletic gene in us,” Johnson said in another interview.

Ever since the initial comments were made in 1988 the topic has attracted widespread controversy and has generally been avoided. That may in part be responsible for Johnson’s comments taking so long to receive international exposure – the Daily Mail’s article which originally ran the comments was published over a week ago.

“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?” Johnson is quoted as saying.

Johnson’s recently underwent DNA testing as part of a documentary, “Michael Johnson: Survival of the Fastest,” which confirmed his West African descent.

What’s your opinion of the controversial topic, do black athletes have superior genetics as a result of slave-breeding which sought to produce the strongest possible offspring? If so, does it give them a competitive edge? Let us know in the comments.

[Source: The Root, LA Times, Daily Mail]