Johnson says talent key to attracting new fans

MONACO - American track legend Michael Johnson says athletics has to be able to stand on its own two feet and not rely on personalities raising its profile in the post-Usain Bolt era.

The sport is adjusting to coping without the Jamaican sprint icon, who combined sublime talent and a dynamic personality to pull in the crowds.

Johnson, the 50-year-old former 200m and 400m world-record holder said the sport has no choice but to ramp up competitions to make up for times when it would not have personalities with captivating back stories to attract spectators.