Johnson Has Chance for Double as IOC Reschedules 200 and 400

Michael Johnson received a major boost Sunday in his bid for double Olympic gold when track’s world governing body agreed to reschedule the men’s 200 and 400 meters at Atlanta.

Johnson, the world’s premier long sprinter, had pleaded with the International Amateur Athletic Federation for months to alter the timetable so he could attempt an unprecedented sweep in both events.

After an all-day meeting Sunday, the 27-member IAAF Council eliminated two overlapping days for the events.

The council announced that the men’s and women’s 200 meters will be held on the sixth and seventh days of the Games, while the men’s and women’s 400 will be run on the first and fourth days.

Carl Lewis also received a scheduling shift to ease his hopes in the 100 meters, 200 meters and long jump, with the men’s long jump shifted from days six and seven to days three and four.

In a bid to beat Atlanta’s crushing summer heat, the men’s marathon will be held on the final day as tradition dictates, but at 7 a.m. rather than 4:30 p.m. as had been planned.