Some may consider it a point of pride to hold a record for for more than 13 years.
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Not Patrick Johnson.
The former star sprinter and title of ‘Australia’s fastest man’ ran a 9.93 in Japan in 2003 and that remains the quickest time ever run by someone from this country.
Johnson was at Barden Park on the weekend at the Little Athletics NSW Western Plains Zone Super Clinic and said he was keen for a young sprinter to come along and take the record from him.
“Records are there to be broken, not stand for a long time. That’s my philosophy,” he said.
“I’ve always felt that and I think we’ve got good, talented athletes and I hope the Commonwealth Games (in August) can be a stepping stone because it is a home games so there’s a different energy level.”
For Johnson, the biggest thing needed to make that happen is more nurturing of junior talent.
I love what I do because I can see the next generation.
- Patrick Johnson
He wants all athletics organisations across all states and territories to work together, rather than compete against each other, for the good of the country.
Johnson was putting youngsters through their paces all weekend at Dubbo, as were a number of other high-profile coaches, and said it was just another example of the talent found all over the country.
“I love what I do because I can see the next generation,” he said.
“If we did (nurture more) then we’d see people running faster than me. My record, that should have been broken already. The Jamaicans are doing it, the Americans are, even the Chinese are and the Japanese have just done it too so Australians should be doing it.”
As well as Johnson, two-time Olympian and Commonwealth Games gold medallist Youcef Abdi was in attendance along with Olympic walker and Commonwealth bronze medallist Cheryl Webb, Olympic throws coach Ernie Shankelton, Athletics Australia coach Matt Fowler and many more.
There was a strong showing of athletes on both days with the bulk form Dubbo while some had travelled from as far as the Blue Mountains.
Johnson said there was no point him having 14 years of experience, including competing at both and Olympic and Commonwealth level, if he wasn’t willing to share it.
“For me, it’s about making sure the next generation has the knowledge I have and from that they understood that you can be anyone from anywhere and to achieve anything,” he said.
“You could be form Dubbo, or Orange or any country town and now we’ve got the coaching and the support around you and we’re working, collectively, together.”