Stags learn speed from Michael Johnson

A group of Mansfield Town players are this week taking part in a speed training camp, run by four-time Olympic Champion and current 400m world record holder Michael Johnson at England’s St George’s Park training ground.
Ollie Palmer.Ollie Palmer.
Ollie Palmer.

The USA legend is holding the Michael Johnson Performance Academy camp and Stags boss Paul Cox is hoping players like striker Ollie Palmer will benefit hugely from the advice.

“Seven or eight of the squad are down at St George’s Park,” said Cox. “It is a training camp that includes fitness, power and speed.

“Our physio has good contacts down there and has got our players in there which is a massive positive for us.

“They will learn a lot. You can’t not learn from someone of his status. If you can’t learn about speed from Michael Johnson then who can you learn off?

“Some of the coaching staff will go down there as well to see if we can learn anything which bodes well for pre-season.

“It is about improving running technique and trying to make an athlete a a better athlete.

“If we can pinch an inch anywhere we can, then that’s what we need to do.”