Johnson's father, also Lawrence Johnson, was a 400m hurdler for Norfolk State. Initially, Johnson had intended to be a hurdler as well, but his high school coach, Floyd Conley, told him to try other events because the school already had four of the state's best hurdlers.

Coached by Bill Webb while at Tennessee, Johnson missed the pit on a bad vault in May of 1994 and tore tendons from the bone of his left foot and ankle. He began working with coach Jim Bemiller in 1996. Was injured on his birthday in 1998, getting a third degree ankle sprain while filming a commercial for adidas which caused him to miss training for six weeks.

During his 1994 injury lay-off, he pursued his interests in music: instrumental, R&B, pop-type vocals, etc. Lawrence has started an entertainment production company and released his first CD locally in December 1998, 'Masquerade.' He describes it as motivational instrumental music. Johnson joined with tennis great John McEnroe, Jon Drummond and soccer star Alexei Lalas to sing backup for Bryan Adams at the World Sports Awards January 13, 2000 at Royal Albert Hall in London. Johnson has also recently finished cutting his first vocal solo album, an R&B CD titled, 'It May Be Right.'

Athletically, 'My goal is to be the best in the world. If people shoot low, they're not maximizing their abilities. I know what I can do' Johnson also adds that it's exciting to see more young African Americans trying the vault: 'It feels great to be spearheading a movement'

Struggling with injury in 1998 was 'very revealing. I've always felt like I was the best athlete among the pole vaulters. I've realized that technique and getting through the training is far more important. I've restructured my training with that in mind'

Johnson has been working on his speed with HSI coach John Smith. He broke the American indoors record in 2001 with 5.96m/19-6.5 and won 2001 GST Open at Princeton Invitational after bouncing out of the pit and landing on his hip during a practice vault. Johnson limped throughout the competition but won regardless.

Johnson's 2001 season ended with a broken right fibula sustained in winning U.S. Outdoor title in Eugene. He struggled with ankle problems indoors in 2002.

Lawrence Johnson was an accomplished decathlete in college, winning a Southeastern Conference title in 1993 and posting a score of 7576. His wife, Christina, is a native of Brazil. Check out Lawrence's official website at www.lojoentertainment.com.

2004
- 1st in Knoxville (5.65m/18-6.5).

2002
- 2nd place, PV, Millrose Games.
- 3rd place, PV, Boston Indoor Games.

2001
- Gold Medallist, Pole Vault, US Outdoor Championships.
- Gold Medallist, World Indoor Championships.
- Gold Medallist, US Indoor Championships.

2000
- 2000 Silver Medallist, Pole Vault, 2000 Olympic Games, Sydney, Australia.
- 1st place, U.S. Olympic Trials.
- 1st place, U.S. Indoor Championships.

1999
- 1st place, Rieti GP.
- Ranked 2nd in US and 9th in the World.

1998
- 1st place, US Indoor Championships.
- 2nd place, World Indoor Championships.
- 1st place, US Outdoor Championships.
- Ranked 2nd in US and 7th in the World.

1997
- 1st place NCAA Outdoor Championships.
- 1st place US Olympic Trials, 8th place, Olympic Games.
- Ranked 2nd in US.

1996
- 1st place, NCAA Outdoor Championships.
- 5th place, US Outdoor Championships.
- 2nd place, World University Games.
- Ranked 6th in the US.