Olympic track great Michael Johnson says he is recovering from a mini stroke suffered last week.
The 50-year-old sprinter tweeted that he "rather surprisingly" was stricken with a transient ischemic attack, known as a TIA or mini stroke.
Last week I rather surprisingly suffered what's known as a Transient Ischemic Attack or mini stroke. The good news is I'm back at home with my family, cleared of any heart issues and have already made great progress on my road to a full recovery.
— Michael Johnson (@MJGold) September 8, 2018
It seems these things can affect anyone, even the once fastest man in the world! I'm no stranger to a good exercise plan and have thrown myself into it with my usual focus and determination.
— Michael Johnson (@MJGold) September 8, 2018
According to the Mayo Clinic, a TIA usually lasts only a few minutes and causes no permanent damage.
Johnson is a four-time Olympic gold medalist. At the 1996 Atlanta Games, he became the only male athlete to win the 200 and 400 meters at the same Olympics. He had held world and Olympic records in those events.