New Schedule Gives Johnson More Prime-Time Exposure

Having twice previously altered the schedule to assist sprinter Michael Johnson in his run for Olympic history, track and field’s international governing body made more changes Wednesday to give as many U.S. television viewers as possible a chance to see it.

At the behest of the International Amateur Athletic Federation, the organizing committee for the Summer Olympics announced that three of Johnson’s races have been moved deeper into prime time for Eastern and Central time zone audiences. Johnson is trying to become the first man the win the 200 and 400 meters in the Olympics.

The second of four rounds in the 400, scheduled for Saturday, July 27, has been moved back one hour to 7:55 p.m. EDT (4:55 p.m. PDT). The 400 final two days later has been moved back 75 minutes to 9:10 p.m. EDT (6:10 p.m. PDT). The 200 semifinals and final scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 1, have been moved back one hour to 7:10 p.m. EDT (4:10 p.m. PDT) and 9 p.m. EDT (6 p.m. PDT), respectively.

NBC said it had no influence in the decision. The IAAF earlier this year made revisions in the schedule at Johnson’s request.

The IAAF, contemplating awarding the 1999 World Championships to Stanford, hopes to find some clue here about whether Johnson’s bid can generate interest in track and field in the United States that will carry over into non-Olympic years.