Wearing his hallmark gold-coloured running shoes, Johnson - back upright, knees pumping - glided to 400m victory in a new Games record of 43.49 seconds in Atlanta.
Asics evolved into a general sporting goods maker, selling skiing, baseball, swimming and golf products, and scored notable success with its running shoes, putting out a well-regarded line of high-end trainers and racing shoes.
Clearly separated from the tourist costume of T-shirts, baseball caps and running shoes, a local aristocratic lady also dressed in black, with a gold-handled onyx cane, good jewelry and noble upright posture, entered her apartment building.