SYDNEY, Australia (AP) -- Allen Johnson is an Olympic gold medalist, a two-time world outdoor champion, an indoor world champion and the fastest 110-meter hurdler in the world this year.

 He's also largely anonymous.

 But the easygoing Johnson isn't bothered too much by the lack of attention. He's not sure how he would handle the publicity if he got it.

 "It's every person's dream to be rich and famous," Johnson said Saturday. "I would be lying if I said I didn't want more attention. But I'd rather be appreciated more for what I do in the hurdles and what I've done in the past."

 Johnson's myriad accomplishments also include sharing the U.S. record, winning three U.S. outdoor titles, winning a gold medal on a world championship 1,600-meter relay team and winning an NCAA indoor title. He also has been ranked No. 1 in the world twice and No. 2 twice.

 At the Sydney Games opening ceremonies, Johnson found out what fame could be like. He was standing next to Marion Jones, one of the most highly publicized athletes in the world.

 "How does she do it?" Johnson said. "Everyone wanted to take her picture. You want and need some time for yourself."

 Johnson's image problem could have several roots.

 He's not flamboyant or full of pizzazz. He's not controversial. He's not a trash-talker. He doesn't brag about himself or make boastful statements. He's not in a glamorous event. He's not an outrageous dresser, and there's another Johnson in the sport with a much higher profile -- 200- and 400-meter Olympic champion and world record-holder Michael Johnson, who runs at the games with gold shoes.

 These days, Allen Johnson is getting attention. Not because he's done anything sensational recently, but for a hamstring injury that could jeopardize his chance of repeating as Olympic champion.

 The injury to Johnson's left hamstring, diagnosed as a mild strain, first surfaced about a month ago, and caused him to stop running during a meet in Japan last week. He said he didn't finish the race as a precaution.

 "During the warmups, I felt good," Johnson said, "but when I tried to run hard, it bothered me. I had nothing to prove, so I decided to stop. I felt that was the best thing to do. I could have finished the race ... it was a matter of whether I wanted to take the risk."

 Concern over his condition swept through the U.S. team, but Johnson says he will be ready for the first round of the hurdles Sept. 23.

 "If I started competing today, I would be in a little trouble," he said. "But by next week, I should be OK."

 The injury-prone Johnson was forced to withdraw from the semifinals of last year's world championships because of a calf injury. The difference between that injury and this year's are as different as track events and field events.

 "Coming down off the hurdles, you probably put about 1,000 pounds on the calf muscle," the 165-pound Johnson said. "That's a weight-bearing muscle. You need it to be 100 percent.

 "Not the hamstring. It should be able to stand what I hand out."

 What Johnson will hand out is a lot of hurdles-bashing. In 1996, he knocked down eight of the 10 hurdles on his way to winning the Olympic gold medal.

 "The hamstring won't give me any problems from hitting into the hurdles," he said.

 The calf injury inspired the 29-year-old Johnson to come back strong this season.

 "People thought I was washed up, that I was over the hill, that I didn't have it anymore," he said. "I had to show people that wasn't true. For the most part, I have done that."

 Johnson is approaching the Olympics with a different outlook than four years ago. In 1996, he went into the Atlanta Games with the attitude that the Olympics "was just another track meet."

 "Even though the whole world was watching, I said, 'So what?"' Johnson said.

 Now with a chance to make history -- becoming the third Olympian to win two 110 hurdles titles, "I now realize that this is not just about track and field meet, but it's athletes from all over the world competing," Johnson said.

 "Being an Olympian is unique. It's special and always will be. It's awesome."