FATE conspired to deprive Michael Johnson at Barcelona four years ago, but early this morning he streaked to a new Olympic record of 43.49 seconds in the 400 metres final. The scales of justice were at last at work.

Thousands of flash bulbs in the crowded stadium testified to the popularity of the man who now chases an unprecedented double in the 200 metres later in the week. And Johnson, strutting the scene with all the authority of a man who knew he was in a different class to the rest, did not disappoint them.

With the supreme confidence of a man who knew that he could win almost any way he liked, he chose to wait until the 200 metre mark to impose himself on his rivals. At that stage only Roger Black, running immediately inside him, looked to present any danger. But once the world champion decided to go Black appeared to accept the inevitable.

In that inimitable pitter patter style with his head held high, Johnson leaned into the last bend and then straightened out to leave the rest for dead. It was as emphatic a win as we have seen since these Games started and if the new title holder was a 10th of a second outside Butch Reynolds world record, it is surely only a matter of time before that prize too falls to him.

Back in the interview area where the ringing applause of the thousands could still be heard, Johnson spoke quietly but confidently, of his hopes of adding the 200 metres title toe his list of conquests.

"Its not going to be easy Olympic championships never are but, now that the first half of my programme is over, I can focus completely on the 200 metres and I think I can do it," he said. On the evidence of this latest breathtaking performance even the talented Namibian Frank Fredericks is going to be hard pushed to deny Johnson.