BBC's Michael Johnson shuts down Piers Morgan after 'schooling' him

Michael Johnson has hit back at Piers Morgan, claiming he’s already ‘schooled’ him once and doesn’t need to do so again.

A war of words between the four-time Olympic champion and the television personality had erupted on social media, with Morgan claiming Johnson was wrong for saying bronze and silver medalists achieved ‘greatness’.

In a post on X, Johnson said: “Winning Olympic medals is hard. Even if you were favorite for gold and end up with silver or bronze it was hard. Thats greatness. Maybe not greatest on the day, but that’s greatness!”

Morgan was having none of it, with the former Good Morning Britain presenter responding: “Losing isn’t greatness, especially if you were favourite to win. It’s losing.”

The two continued to have it out, with sprinter turned BBC pundit Johnson adding: “We’re not doing this again Piers! I already schooled you on this last Olympics!”

Both Johnson and Morgan had a similar debate during the Tokyo Games three years ago, with the former accused of ‘inevitable wokie rage.’

However, this time around, Morgan refused to back down, with the Brit stating: “Legend, if coming 2nd/3rd when you’re favourite to win constitutes ‘greatness’, why did you make your name on here @MJGold and why does your X bio make a point of boasting about zero silver/bronze medals? Methinks you really believe all that matters is winning Gold.”

The jury remains out on who is right, but Morgan could point towards Johnson’s frustrations at the USA men’s sprinting quartet in the 4x100m relay.

Finishing seventh in Friday’s race at the Stade de France, Johnson claimed the US athletics programme needs to address the now 20-year medal drought in the event.

Speaking as part of the BBC’s athletics coverage, Johnson said: "It's probably time for us to stop having any expectations of the men's US team, seriously.

"Because when you haven't actually done it for so long, we know that they aren't going to get it done. They have the speed, but it's puzzling and bizarre."

He continued: “In 2021, Carl [Lewis] was saying it, everybody was saying it, and they are not doing anything about it.

"It's endemic; it's in the system now. It's ridiculous, it really is, but we should probably stop having expectations."

Maybe it is all about securing gold after all.