While the high profile names associated with the Goodwill Games are what's drawn thousands of spectators to central Nassau County over the past week, the stories behind the main events are what have made this competition particularly meaningful.

For some, like Michael Johnson, who won Olympic gold in Atlanta in the 200 and 400 meter races, the Goodwill Games have provided a stage upon which he's made a triumphant comeback from injury.

"I was very satisfied with my race tonight, though it was hard to decide on strategy," he said after winning the 400 meters Tuesday night.

"I'm healthy now, but you know, when coming back from an injury, every day is a situation where you are trying to get back and get better.

"Toward that end, I believe that persistence in training breeds consistency in the race."

On Wednesday, 24 hours after making those comments, Johnson added another gold medal to his trophy case as part of the winning American team in the 1,600 meter relay.

His teammates in that race -- in which they bested teams from Poland, Russia and Jamaica -- were Jerome Young, Antonio Pettigrew, and Tyree Washington.

Asked about his expectations coming into a Goodwill Games for which he's served as one of the brightest lights on the marquee, Johnson said, "There's always pressure. But I think that only helps to make me a better athlete.

"Every time I go out and run, I enjoy it," he added.

If Johnson's performance at the games was a much anticipated return to form, for other competitors the games are a time to say goodbye.

Such was the case for Jackie Joyner-Kersee, who this past Tuesday and Wednesday night competed -- and won the gold medal -- in the last heptathlon of her career.

"For me, this is a celebration," she said the day before the grueling multi-skill event got under way. "Because when I got into athletics it was all about having fun and it has always remained that way.

"At the same time, I'm sure I'm going to be sad too.

"In my athletic career I've had a lot of great moments and some down moments because of injuries. But even in training, until this very last day, I have enjoyed myself," she said.

While the world renowned athletes have garnered the headlines, four local youths also shared in the goodwill at last Tuesday night's track event.

In the junior Goodwill Games series of 50 meter sprints Mychal Alston, of Roosevelt, was second in the boys 8- to 9-year-old category; Jasmine Scott, of Roosevelt, was second in the girls 8-9; Melissa Vanderhall, of Hempstead, was third in the girls 10-11; and Cherisse Thompson, of Elmont, won the girls 12-13 race.