MICHAEL Johnson, his place as world number one over 400 metres secure after retaining his world title on Tuesday, now seeks top billing over the 200.

The double Olympic champion has been ranked first in the world over 400 for the past four years and top of the 200 ranking for three consecutive years.

"I would like to continue to be ranked number one in the 400 and 200," Johnson said yesterday, even though he is not competing in the event in Athens. "If I don't, that's okay."

His manager Brad Hunt said the double Olympic champion, would race over 400 metres in the Zurich meeting on August 13th, then turn to the 200 at the US-Britain duel in London on August 17th and at meetings in Malmo and Brussels, Berlin was also likely to be on the American's schedule.

"There probably will be at least one more 400 this year." Said Johnson, who seems eager to race after three weeks of hard training prior to the world championships.