It’s sad that people don’t know what really happened in Seoul. Charlie Francis told most of it in his book “Speed Trap”. After the Seoul catastrophe, Charlie and his athletes had to face many things, but none was more devastating than the Dubiin Inquiry. This was a legal proceeding, maybe the first of its kind. Everyone was required to testify under oath. Lying could result in jail time. At the centre of it were Ben Johnson and Charlie Francis. They were both so open about what they had done that it cost Ben all his medals and his records going back years. Ben was banned from racing for the rest of his prime athletic years. Charlie was banned from coaching athletes for LIFE. In retrospect, those sentences were extremely punitive. They had both told the truth. Ben was on steroids, but not the Stanazolol steroid the IOC claimed was in his sample. This contradiction was irrelevant in terms of the outcomes of the Dubin inquiry. Steroids are steroids. Ben and Charlie had admitted to steroid use under oath. That was all that mattered. But what really happened in Seoul then? When the news of Ben’s test results came back, Dick Pound, who was with the Canadian Team organization, went before and IOC committee to plead Ben’s case. By this time, everyone knew that the security had broken down completely in the athletes drug testing area. There were people without proper accreditation wandering around in the area which was supposed to be secure. No one knew what they were doing there. Dick Pound made the case that anyone could have spiked the bottles of water that Ben was drinking in order to give a urine sample. Impossible to prove that Ben had steroids in his system before the race. The committee responded that Ben’s endocrine profile indicated long term steroid use. Endocrine profile? Dick responded that he wasn’t properly prepared to defend Ben on that charge. That wasn’t the original charge. The committee told Dick, who was a lawyer, that it didn’t matter. This wasn’t a court of law and Ben was disqualified. Dick could do nothing more for Ben. It was over. By this time the Media had spread the word that Ben was disqualified for Stanazolol found in his urine sample. There was no point in trying to correct the record, Ben was still disqualified and no one would care about technicalities that changed nothing. Endocrine profile? What was that all about? The claim was made that Ben’s natural testosterone levels weren’t normal, something that happens with Steroid use. That test was actually run on all the athletes urine samples. After all the damage was done, Charlie managed to get the results of those tests. More than 80% of all the male athletes in track had the same problem with their endocrine profile as Ben. Ben was the only athlete to be disqualified on the results of those endocrine profile tests. Charlie had also got a bit more information about Ben’s urine sample. The Stanazolol in Ben’s urune was undifferentiated, meaning that it could of only been in his system for a very short time. The public perception of steroids was like they were magic. You take them and you are immediately stronger and faster. But that’s not how they work. There would have been no point in Ben having put Stanazolol in his system right before the race. It would do nothing in the short term and was a sure way to be caught. Furthermore, they had tried Stanazolol on Ben years before and it had an effect of making Ben’s muscles tight and he actually ran slower. That was the reason Ben was using a different steroid. Another mystery. How did that steroid get in Ben’s sample? Many years later, Charlie found out that the Stanazolol in Ben’s urine had not only been undifferentiated, it had actually been PURE. Only one way that could happen. Pure Stanazolol somehow got into Ben’s urine sample in the lab. But was it a case of accidental contamination, or was it done on purpose? Impossible to tell now. In any case, Seoul was ancient history. Was Ben set up? Of course, there were powerful people and big money riding on Carl winning the 100m. Much more so than Ben. Insiders knew that everyone was taking steroids, but they’d never been able to catch Ben. It was the same reason they weren’t catching other big names either. There wasn’t random testing in those days. If you were an important athlete, you were working with a team of professional trainers and ‘nutritional’ experts who knew exactly how long you needed to be off the steroids before testing in order to not be caught. The magic of Steroids was that they helped you workout longer, harder and recover faster for months on end. There was no reason to risk taking them too close to the important, drug tested races. So, was someone paid off to contaminate Ben’s urine sample? Someone who didn’t know what steroid Ben was using? Stanazolol was probably a good bet because lots of athletes were using it. Did they not anticipate the security breaking down in the drug testing area? Is that why they came up with the endocrine profile excuse, but only for Ben? You be the judge. It is interesting that the same Dick Pound that went along with the IOC Committee on Ben’s disqualification later became the head of the IOC’s drug testing program and was at one time on the short list for the job of new leader of the IOC. Coincidence? Reward?
OMG it's easy to figure it out now that you explain it clearly. Ben was on the path to be Super Human speed in 1988 that 9.79 was just the beginning for Ben speed in 100 meters. Like they stopped Flow Jo they were going to catch her no matter what it takes.
Ben had a beautiful stride. There was no wasted motion from head to toe. He didn't have a height advantage with regards to length of stride. Truly one of if not the greatest sprinter of all time.
@@AssadNiang Listen, everyone was on PEDs and he was the quickest. Do some research into the drug programs Germany, Russia and yes the U.S. Canada has always been at a disadvantage whereas most of the athletes had day jobs and weren't supported by big money like the U.S. Carl Lewis was on PEDs, was taller and had big money behind him but despite these disadvantages Ben beat him. Now, if he were the only one "cheating" then I could agree with you. Do you know what it's like training for a lifetime and knowing you are going to lose because everyone is cheating? Let's get real, as I stated Ben had a beautiful stride with no wasted motion. Drugs don't do that.
Funny how the passage of time has proved Charlie Francis right. All the other athletes in the 100m were on the juice too so you could choose to play on a level playing field or lineup 10m behind the rest. If Ben is American the IOC never announces a positive test as well all know its money that talks when it comes to the IOC. You'll never strip away the joy of watching Ben crush Carl Lewis .
Then they should all get disqualified because they all used to dop that era. controls are more strict nowadays than those periods and also politics played important role on dopping controls
That 100 m final was dirtier than a wicker toilet seat. And Carl Lewis should have been banned from participating because he failed three tests at the US Olympic trials. The brilliant Ben Johnson was made a scapegoat, that’s for sure.
They’re all cheaters. Ben Johnson isn’t brilliant. He’s a disgrace. Yes he was scapegoated but stop trying to rewrite history and put Johnson on a pedestal. He got what he deserved. Cheating because everyone else is does not make it right.
The main reason Carl Lewis was so angry was that he didn't win. He was doping too, it was so widespread in the 80's and 90's and he was caught for it too, the Americans just covered it up better. Johnson was used as a scapegoat for the doping in '88, because the Yanks wanted the medals for themselves. Lewis was just so vain and arrogant that he wanted ALL the glory for himself.
Agree with everyone you wrote. Pretty much my opinion of the situation and of carl lewis also. He was jealous af he wanted to be the face the big name the superstar. Major sore loser when he got beat. 🤣
Very well said, I've never understood why Lewis was popular. Got beat at the most important event and was a sore loser, looking back at him he was hard to like actually.
Carl Lewis has broken his silence on allegations that he was the beneficiary of a drugs cover-up, admitting he had tested positive for banned substances but claiming he was just one of "hundreds" of American athletes who were allowed to escape bans. "There were hundreds of people getting off," he said. "Everyone was treated the same." Lewis has now acknowledged that he failed three tests during the 1988 US Olympic trials, which under international rules at the time should have prevented him from competing in the Seoul games two months later.
Which is total b.s meaning they allowed this to happen because carl was US poster boy of athletics. USTAF i believe have been shady for years. Not so much nowadays but 80s and 90s definately let so many athletes off the hook just to keep medal numbers up. Ben johnson was just made a scapegoat for a dirty sport. I honestly believe any athlete than can get under 9.80 for the 100m is doped. Im still a fan of the sport have been for many years. But theres far more that dont get caught than what do get caught
@Rochelle carmel i hope you are right. id certainly like to think so. Its just that most of the guys posting those crazy fast times have all been done for stimulants or steroids
Carl Lewis has broken his silence on allegations that he was the beneficiary of a drugs cover-up, admitting he had tested positive for banned substances but claiming he was just one of "hundreds" of American athletes who were allowed to escape bans. "There were hundreds of people getting off," he said. "Everyone was treated the same." Lewis has now acknowledged that he failed three tests during the 1988 US Olympic trials, which under international rules at the time should have prevented him from competing in the Seoul games two months later.
@@Pad4724 I heard this too that he was caught and the TV networks said if you punish Carl they’ll pull the coverage, apparently was $1 billion of coverage
No one ever mentions that Carl Lewis also failed the steroid test that year but he talked his way out of it by saying he was taking cold medicine. I remember a druggist saying that he would had to take tremendous amount
@@johnnwako2488 Sorry, He did test positive during the US trials and so did Flo Jo but there was a cover up since most communist states had state sponsored doping....the US Olympic committee shelved and covered up.
@@johnnwako2488 Flo Jo was so obviously super juiced it's embarrassing. Still a great athlete. But to be at the absolute top when the majority if not all your competitors are doping forces you to make a choice: you also take the chemical advantage of doping, or you don't make it to the upper echelons of the sport. A simple choice for most humans, especially when all the outsized spoils of wealth and fame accrue to the victor(s).
What everyone forgets is that Carl Lewis also did not pass his drug test that year. However, he said that it was due to cold medicine he was taking. However, a druggist said for cold medicine to show up in that percentage he would have to take it by the case load. The American Olympic committee let it pass.
I remember my elder brother, who was a serious sportsman himself, used to say that the Americans used drugs to enhance their performance then. I was skeptical. Turned out he was dead right. What about Flo Jo?
Youre not wrong. He beat everyone. Carl lewis used so much hgh and steroids his jaw grew at age 24 and he needed braces. 7 of the 8 runners were caught
The IOC had all the evidence. When Ben's test came back positive there was still unmetabolized steroids in his urine. That meant he would have had to take them within 2 hours of the race which made no sense. Dick Pound who later became head of WADA was the Canadian rep who argued that this was a tainted sample. He would have won but the IOC came back with Johnson's steroid profile which proved he had used steroids in the past. If the IOC had used this steroid profile evidence 75% of the track athletes in Seoul would have been disqualified.
Carl Lewis tested positive for several PEDs in the run up to the Olympics but it was not widely publicised and he was not punished. Would have been good if the documentary had mentioned this.
4 роки тому+1
True he's just as much guilty. He loves to act as if he's innocent and he was wronged and robbed.
US Team with Flo Jo was especially was pumped, however I'd love to get some proof Lewis was 'vaccinated' as they say, because he had a great technique and never manifested hugely telling increments in PB's like Flo Jo and Johnson. If Lewis was doping then they all were.
@@christopherreynolds9254 hope am not a prat like the lady whose womb you came through, I strongly feel something went on on your being conceived, if not, that would've not been your response; its fair to perceive, you're legacy is strife and, lawsuit, and you being the defendant. Keep in mind this taught (if you can think) every day; bucket goes down into well, one day it sinks. David and Goliath. Your strive will catch up to you; INHERET LAWS.... "dark shadows" you full of darkness, for the lack of knowledge, a people perish. Get Jesus and live, when you do, truth is foremost and country is second place, and our words is Very sought out before spoken, you won't catch the drift! when a dog is use to sucking eggs.... can't stop. And people from Jamaica never do wrong, I like track, I follow facts, I read 2019.Trinidad and Tobago, won gold in the 400 relay, how? They came in second place, after drug test, they called the Trinbagonians, and upgraded them from silver, to GOLD, why? after drug testing, there was drugs in JAMAICA'S URIN. That relay took place in 2017 to 2018.
Ben Johnson is one of the greatest of all time. Always will be. I don’t give a fu#% if he took banned substances. We still have no idea how many races and medals were won by athletes taking performance enhancing drugs.
@@Musicienne-DAB1995 I don’t see using performance enhancing substances a lie because it’s still the athlete doing the work and training to achieve goals. Are they less great without? Yes. But they also take many substances not banned like b12 injections, stimulants. Johnson got caught. Countless others didn’t. We have absolutely no clue as to how many gold medals were won by athletes using steroids. Perhaps the solution is have one competition for those who don’t want to use, and another for those who are using and see what happens. I worked in circuses with performers who took steroids. Chinese, Russian, Colombian, South African, Americans. No one ever tested them or even brought it up. Ticket holders were in awe of their superhuman abilities. But it was still the artist/athlete working their entire life and careers to master their skills of acrobatics, strength, and more.
I don’t care. This race was one of the most exciting events I’ve ever seen. The build up had gone on for about two years and Ben smoked Lewis. What came a couple of days later was sad but at that moment it was awesome. And looking at the reality of the doping situation then, I still think Ben is the best. Sorry Usain, you’re cool too..
IMO ... all these athletes are on some sort of designer PEDs ahead of the testing agencies. Even Lewis' tests came up positive during Olympic Trials ... but wasnt revealed until much later. If Lewis had not been an American, and Johnson was running for the USA ..... Johnson would still be considered the greatest sprinter ever. All that put aside ..... dream race .... Johnson's start and out of the block speed vs Bolts stride and acceleration. Could Johnson maintain or would Bolt overtake ??
@@johnnwako2488 That's just the cover-up so that the golden boy would remain golden. He was on the juice just like the rest of them. But if you want to keep singing that lullaby don't let me top you.
@@johnnwako2488 Equating cold medicine found in Lewis with multiple anabolic steroids found in Johnson multiple times, not just after this race, is idiotic. Lewis was arrogant and annoying and American so everyone loves to dump on him now that they found out he tested positive for trace elements of cold medicine. Just ridiculous. The guy might be annoying, but he didn't cheat like walking steroid, Ben Johnson did his whole career. Johnson's eyes were literally yellow, he had so much steroids in him. And the guy kept getting busted over and over even many years later when he attempted a come back.
@BetaOnPurposeLMS-coach Yeah because he was so hated, that's why they awarded him Olympian, Athlete & Sportsman of the Century. That makes total sense. As far as egomaniacs go I haven't seen a top sprinter that wasn't one. Carl Lewis knew Johnson cheated but was still man enough to offer his congratulatory hand which was rebuked by Johnson. Johnson's mother in the stands after the race during an interview kept mockingly saying "Carl who?". In less than 24 hours Johnson would be on his way to becoming a forgotten footnote in Canadian sports and Lewis would become a legend.
@BetaOnPurposeLMS-coach Kid? I'm probably the only person commenting on this post that was an adult when Ben Johnson shamed his country in 88' and the true victor was awarded the gold medal. I can speak about Lewis because that is my generation. Ben Johnson was a flunkie & Bolt was in diapers at that time. Sounds to me that you're just bitter that Ben Johnson is a never was been living in his mother's basement with his high school & college trophies. Bad mouth Lewis all you want. He bent you all over. 😂
Whatever...He was my childhood hero. He is still my hero. I couldn't sleep for nights after hearing the decision. His physic, body made grate impact on me. I wanted to be like him... For me, he is the greatest athlete I have ever seen
He’s a great champion. There are countless athletes who took steroids and won medals. Ben was a scapegoat. I worked in circuses with acrobatic performers from China, Russia, Romania, South Africa, Colombia, USA, and almost all of them used steroids. No one ever tested them or even brought it up. Audiences paid big money to see us perform and walked away amazed. It was still the performer doing the work a those years to master their skills. All the steroids did was help give them more strength and endurance.
As time ticks by, more and more will eventually come out about this incredible 100m epoch. However, if you are in any doubt that Ben Johnson was singled out (for a myriad of reasons no doubt), then have a read of Richard Moore's excellent piece "The Dirtiest Race in History", it provides balance, cold-hard facts and real perspective.
@@kovy689 The 80% was merely based on those who could have detected by the tests available in 1988. It doesn't mean there weren't heavy usage of other PEDs.
@@michaeledwards2251 Yea, designer PEDs and clone versions of the original were widely available to bypass testings. The whole screening process is a big sham.
Amazing your comment has been on here a year without any crique.obviiusly no one except canadians and Jamaicans are part of the 30 clowns whim supported you.carl lewis was the gifted one not on dope you dope.he was 6th or 7th place finisher b4 steroids.
@@bluethunder4542 Carl Lewis failed dope tests aswell in 1988 he tested positive three times during the 1988 US Olympic trials, which were covered up, he states this himself look it up, the guardian newspaper it's a trusted news site. It's titled "Lewis:" who cares I failed drug test?"
The purpose of sport is to inject yourself with drugs to alter your body chemistry because you're not good enough to do it on your own talent? Just to bring us "amazement"? I think we have different definitions of "purpose of the sport".
@@robertanddoreenharrison2830 he was up to his eyes on steroids Einstein of course he ran quick he was on massive amounts of steroids ie cheat cheat cheat cheat cheat cheat cheat cheat cheat cheat cheat
Why Ben Johnson? I'll tell you why... BECAUSE HE BEAT CARL LEWIS. PERIOD. he could have beat a million and one other runners and no one would have cared if he was on steroids or not.... end of story.
@@akimball7675 it's not about public opinion... it's what the United States were trying to elevate the name of Carl Lewis. The other behind the scenes issues were ben leaving Adidas and going to diadora. Carl would do and say anything his handlers wanted. Ben wasn't like that, so they black balked him. Everyone was using something today and in the past. Did you know that the Olympics didn't have a test for stanozolol until two weeks before the Olympics? AND it was developed by a Canadian doctor. On top of that Ben wasn't even using stanozolol. Sounds fishy to me...
@@malikkimanimaasai3703 Carl cried until they put a case on him. Carl had failed drug tests before but no one did anything. On top of it back then they didn't test for HGH. Something I'm sure Carl used because he threw on braces in his mid to late 20s
Even in that race 6 out of 8 athletes were tested positive. Why IOC didn'tt ban them. Even Carl Lewis was tested positive in 1988 Olympic trials and also after that final race, Christie was also tested positive even after his last race and during his career but IOC didn't stripped their medal. That's why athletic had faced so much controversy and criticism even the interest of people's for this sport. I don't know which rules of doping are IOC following.
Do you know caffeine is on the band list... So if I can convince the ioc that I drink three cups of coffee.. I can beat a positive test.. that's a rough example but it's true.. the amount of the band substance that was found in Carl Lewis system did not say abuse.. he had his day in court and he won..
Given an endocrine imbalance was tested for, for all the athletes, and 80% were shown to be cheating, the whole 80% should be disqualified and all the medals awarded to the rightful winners. Its a pity the 10 year amnesty is up : the public relations exercise of making Ben Johnson a scape goat worked.
Mind you, Carl Lewis didn’t look like a steroid user. He wasn't a muscle head. He was more lean. Not a bulked up dude like Johnson. Johnson was set up though, in my opinion. Due to the complete lack of security at the testing and storage area, and the fact that he had pure stanozolol in his sample. Johnson didn't even take Stanozolol. He's admitted that he took steroids, but not that particular steroid. Ever.
No'one exploded out of those blocks like Ben, he looked like a panther waiting to pounce on It's prey, he gave us a glimpse of the future of what times humans would achieve.
This was one of my favourite Olympics games Seoul 1988. Because of itv fantastic intro and first time in a long time USA and Russia and east Germany at the same games. and it had the wow factor in both the 100 m and 200 m women and the men's 100 m final.we know the later outcome , but the build up to the races was unbelievable And the speed of Johnson out of the blocks and pulling away ,I will never forget that excitement and shock of that moment only at the 2008 Olympics men 100 m and 2009 world championship
I absolutely agree,,, and they did that man wrong even though he put himself in that position.... I could have stripped him at least a month later though.. they didn't have to disgrace that man like that..
Carl Lewis has broken his silence on allegations that he was the beneficiary of a drugs cover-up, admitting he had tested positive for banned substances but claiming he was just one of "hundreds" of American athletes who were allowed to escape bans. "There were hundreds of people getting off," he said. "Everyone was treated the same." Lewis has now acknowledged that he failed three tests during the 1988 US Olympic trials, which under international rules at the time should have prevented him from competing in the Seoul games two months later.
@@jameskemp5911 Oh, the earth. You know the one, Where's there's supposed to be intelligent life forms? I don't find much intelligence here. Anyway... What makes your blood boil is wilful ignorance. Lewis was found to have 6ppm of pseudoephedrine or similar in his blood. You know what length ban having 6ppm would result in today? None. The limit is now 10ppm. Why? Because the substances are so commonly found in various foodstuffs. No steroid story, no blood doping, no cheating to be found. Try elsewhere for someone to demonise, you clot.
First thing that comes to mind about the 1988 Olympics is not who won what, but about Ben Johnson who won and lost. To his defense, IMO at Olympic level, there are more winners who cheat and don't get caught, than winners who don't cheat.
@@JayBelafonte Out of that field of runners, Tell me how many test results came back dirty. I know that you don't know so I'll tell you.........It was 6 runners. Even Carl Lewis came back dirty but it was covered up. You don't know much about the politics of sports. Either that, or you have your head in the sand. Do you need proof? Do your research.
@@JayBelafonte it came out well after so it didn't make a huge story like Ben getting caught only days after. Only 2 still haven't been caught but I suspect they did do because of the era
When Ben's mom told his coach that he gets nothing without a contract, they were really going to be doomed from there..He introduced the drugs to Ben, and then turned on him.
OK... But Johnson's doping scandal caused huge embarrassment for the sport for years afterwards. Difficult to feel any sympathy for someone so selfish that they would make it more difficult for people to believe great sporting achievements.
@@Musicienne-DAB1995 same can be said for each & EVERY athlete caught... CHEATING is rampant in all sports, by most every country on international level, from soccer & swimming to track & field and biathlon & marathon
@@Musicienne-DAB1995 NO NO NO, had Carl Lewis been caught or any American for that matter the REAL truth would be out and THAT would have RUINED ALL sports so get OFF Ben's case when there are bigger names who have shamed athletics
@@1iota1420 Ben Johnson got on his own case by cheating repeatedly. I am just pointing out what he had already admitted to when the facts piled up around him.
I’m reminded of the adage “ everybody else is doing it…” That viewpoint can make you think you’re a target, and more recently and worse, the victim of racism. You can own it and blame yourself then regrow or continue holding others accountable.
So crazy how Ben was the only one whose life was destroyed, when every single athlete was injecting steroids at the time. This includes Flo Jo, and Carl Lewis.
Not Carl Lewis, you lying DEVIL. USA was in battle against Carl Lewis, for him DEMANDING, better wages, hotel conditions and great seating of his family during events, if he was doing drugs, they would've stripped Carl Lewis without mercy. America cares more about CAPITALISM and Mr. Lewis was against that. Secondly Carl Lewis is a Very INTELLIGENT PERSON, and both parents were COACHES. Lier Lier pants on fire.
@@quintonb9908 she died over 10 yrs after her last race. no traces of PEDs would of been in her system then. There is no way an average 27 yr old sprinter gets that fast in 1 year. She went from decent to world record breaking at the age of 28. That just doesnt happen. look at her physical changes during that time. look at her face. look at her jawline in 87 and look at it in 88. If u believe she didnt uses PEDs then i have some beach front property in Idaho to sale to you. Plus she retired right when random testing beagn. Barry Bonds never failed a drug test either so i guess he never used steroids 😑
@@atlboo98 For stimulants not steroids.Lewis, in fact, tested positive three times for small amounts of banned stimulants: pseudoephedrine, ephedrine and phenylpropanola-mine.😷☘️🇮🇪.
@OBJ OfficialBlackJustice Nah....he admitted he used. He was tested positive 2 months before the Olympics and the USOC buried his results. It's a sad fact of life that no later than the 84 games it just became a shitshow of everyone doing it.
@OBJ OfficialBlackJustice ROFLMAO!! Lewis wasn't clean, man! THG. Undetectable at the time. Ask Darrell Robinson, who was shunned by the US athletic community because he revealed secrets. Lewis is worse than any of them because he claimed to be holier than thou. What a scumbag.
To be honest ,after years of scrutiny ,you could probly reinstall him as gold medalist ,as it's been found that all of them had cheated ,just he got caught at the time ,
I completely feel bad for Ben Johnson because a majority of the athletes were doing the exact same thing. However saying that he did not know what he was taking he knowingly accepted and took what his coach gave him it is his responsibility as an athlete to do the research no matter how old he is. I did extensive research as an athlete as young as 14 years old & up.
@@michaeladrian2210 yes, cocaine was popular before steroids. In fact the IAAF began drug testing in 1928. Interesting law article below scholarship.law.upenn.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1258&context=jbl
In a 100 m dash you are as good to win as good you start. Here Ben is legend. Nobody could win him except they joined in drugs as initial 5 feet distance can't be overtaken in so short span. Check all the startings, Ben had that. That kind of start, skill of Maradona can't be created by drugs. Those officials are totally nonsense.
Ben Johnson, the best 100m sprinter to have ever lived! I think history is certainly proving how wrongly he was treated knowing what we do about all the others....
So with reference to Carl Lewis when did a faster recorded time for Johnson not come close to his achievements? your comment is absolute nonsence! Johnson was the better sprinter for sure.
Comments kissing bolt azz. 2017 worlds a natural "958" placed 3rd behind 990 first place. What was different here? Strict dope testing removed one component and he became slow. Elaine placed 5th in her final when the peds are removed from workout/warmup.
drugs or no drugs....Ben Johnson was ahead of his time. Fastest man ever. please, I can take all the steroids and not run 11 secs..spare me the malarkey...
You said “fastest man ever”. But he was on drugs to perform the feat and he, indeed, owned up. So what exactly are we trying to defend or justify here. If you are trying to make a case on the grounds that majority of his competitors equally cheated, which would actually be shaky because they weren’t officially caught and declared so, neither did they confess as he did, then it’ll be a totally different matter. A cheat is a cheat. We shouldn’t condone it!
Johnson was the man. Yes he cheated, but so did the others... And look how far behind they are... Have a look at the technical perfection ! If there are two races to remember, this one is the first one. The second one saw Bolt running the 100 meters in 9.58 s.
It will come a day when a man have to answer the consequences or reap the benefits of his own actions..... Sure they could have stripped that man a month later... But he put himself in that position simple..
@@cinzanobianco1 Carl Lewis did not cheat if he did he would have been banned... And if it was any type of cover up you wouldn't know about it right now... Caffeine is a band substance it's on the band list... But if I can convince the panel that I had three cups of coffee..and the amount of caffeine found in my system add up to three cups of coffee which isn't abuse.. I can get off and that's what happened.. the amount of the band substance found in Carl Lewis system did not indicate abuse simple...
The narrative on this has several flaws including the statement on the clip from 1985in Zurich when Johnson beat Lewis. “Johnson would go on to be undefeated for 3 years”. This is incorrect. In 1986 Johnson ran in Gateshead and was beaten by a come backing Allan Wells.
Lewis was on them too and privately tested positive prior to Seoul. There’s an interview on UA-cam tube from an American sports scientist that warned Lewis to taper before those Olympics. Johnson was just the scapegoat…
That time is still sick though. That being said, if you don't follow the rules this happens. You can say all you want everyone's doing it, but they didn't get caught buddy. Do I feel bad for Ben? Yes. I am an American, and I cheer for Americans, but not in this case, I do feel Johnson is better than Lewis; that being said, Ben Johnson made a choice, and if you make those choices you know the risks. By the way of course he will raise suspicious, look how jacked up he is!
They come a time in a man life where you're going to reap the benefits or suffer the consequences of your own actions.... And that's what happened to Johnson...And as far as him being better than Carl Lewis look at the 1984 Olympic final when he was clean what happened then...
Agree with this comment 100%. It's weird to be seeing people defend Ben Johnson for cheating. Even seen some say "He didn't even need the drugs. He was that good" 🙄 But like you said, I do feel bad that he got all the blame. But cheating is still cheating.
Sorry, but Lewis was caught out doping too. The U.S athletics squad just covered it up better. Doping was rife in the 80's. People are quick to condemn...but not so quick to be as critical of their 'heroes'. Lewis has had an easy ride, but the fact remains that he was doing it too.
@@Haraka111 so an athlete can't improve over a 4 year period, no? That is just a silly statement to make...athletes train to get better, that's kind of the whole point of their career. Who knows if Johnson couldn't have beaten Lewis on talent alone? We'll never know. It's a moot point. Lewis doped too. That's a fact. It's just that his squeaky clean, family friendly "All American boy" image protected him from the abuse and vilification that Johnson was subjected to. Carl Lewis is one of the single most arrogant athletes ever and his criticism of other athletes was purely because he was getting beaten. I am not defending Johnson's doping, but don't for a second think that Lewis never done exactly the same things.
@@alwhyte6533 100% correct!! Lewis had the weight of the US Olympic committee behind him. Johnson had no support from the Canadian Olympic committee. The US Olympic committee lied for, and sheltered that self righteous scumbag Lewis, while the Canadian Olympic committee threw Johnson right under the bus.
...and yet at the same time Lewis walks away with the gold (even after running in Linfords lane 3 times during that final and also taking illegal stuf) and Flo Joe also keeps her gold,...and if you think she wasn't on something then you're a flat earth believer, 2 yanks walk away with gold and undeservingly so.
HolyRollerTV that was done in the times of better technology in the training shoes track diet etc... 9,79 for that time was something else. I mean it stood for about 20 years.
HolyRollerTV he was still faster than most human beings. The reason why he wasnt a world champion before drugs was because he was given the choice to compete with the top athletes in the world or stay natural in 1981 when he was 20 years old. And through years of hard work he reached the mountain top
HolyRollerTV he was fast and talented enough to be scouted by charles francis, one of the greatest sprinting coaches. He was one of the younger ones but charlie saw the potential in him. He had the talent and had the work ethic to work himself to the top. Yeah, pawn, scapegoat, whatever you want to call him.
got out of bed in the middle of the night in the Netherlands because I had to see this. I was all for Johnson and all against Carl Lewis. I left a note for my mother that said: Ben! When I woke up a few hour later I put on the radio and heard that he got caught doped. I just felt so sad for him.
Check his runs in Scotland at the start of his career, he was barely running 10 and under, then within a year, boom, its easy to tell with cheating athletes, they suddenly start improving
Whats interesting about Ben to me is that from a biomechanical standpoint no-one - even to this day has ever been able to replicate Bens Jump-start. This, he was able to do even before he started taking steroids, so its not based on that - it just something technically he was able to do well that others could not do, and still cant do.
I remember this, I’m 55, well” if everyone cheats, I guess his Wife is cheating on him right now 👍🏽😂😂 when he won the Gold he was Canadian 🇨🇦 when he got caught using drugs” he became Jamaican again 🇯🇲 😂😂😂
Carl Lewis has broken his silence on allegations that he was the beneficiary of a drugs cover-up, admitting he had tested positive for banned substances but claiming he was just one of "hundreds" of American athletes who were allowed to escape bans. "There were hundreds of people getting off," he said. "Everyone was treated the same." Lewis has now acknowledged that he failed three tests during the 1988 US Olympic trials, which under international rules at the time should have prevented him from competing in the Seoul games two months later.
Us Irish have had that for years.. The Brits weren't happy stealing our land they also steal our success stories... The are Irish again when they lose..
Just like Jose Canseco said: JUICED! Its a cat and mouse game. If you don't get caught then you win. If you're caught, there goes your integrity and your future.
They ALL did it, most of all Carl Lewis, so Ben was still the best. The biggest scandal is that Florence Griffith-Joyner's "records" still "stand". She was doped to the max. But she was running for the USA, where all the big sponsors of the IOC came from. So they CHOSE not to catch her. To me, Ben will always remain the best before the Bolt era. Ben was targeted because he was not running for the USA.
I was a top five ranked Canadian 100 meter sprinter at the same time as Johnson. We competed many times but I ran clean and he didn't. My coach at the time discussed whether to take steroids but I refused. I don't regret that decision but I still feel like I got cheated by Ben (and a few others on the team who were on steroids) even after 30+ years. Water past the bridge I guess.
As were the 20% of the 1988 Olympic athletes who made it to the Seoul Olympics without cheating. The effort to exonerate Ben Johnson revealed 80% of the male athletes at Seoul had the hormonal imbalances which are the tell tale for heavy drug cheats.
Only Usain Bolt and Michael Johnson have ever produced such a completely dominant performance in a men's Olympic sprint as seen from Ben Johnson. We may be waiting decades to see such brilliance again. I never thought I'd see Michael Johnson 200 time go though but Usain Bolt was that very rare athlete.
"Catch me if you can"-Ben As ive gotten older, i used to dislike steroids in sports. Until it can be eradicated truly and entirely i support people who 'get caught'. Theyre all on it. The chinese are the best at it but they all do it. Look at carl lewis jaw with braces. Does anyone think that happens normally ten plus years after puberty?
China was very surprising in this last Olympics. It's depressing to think of how much they cheat and how much damage those athletes are doing to their bodies just to prop up the Chi-Coms.
As Johnson was stripped of his Olympic gold in 88 why wasn't he striped of the world title he won the previous year? Dwain Chambers after 2003 world championships he was positive and he was striped of his European titles the year before.
Crossed by the greatest hypocrisy ever seen in sport. Carl Lewis, Linford Christie both Olympic gold medalists were caught in doping. The American with a physicist wide open by Anabilziantes (Florence Griffith-Joyner) was never caught. Ridiculous. For me Ben will be remembered for being an extremely strong runner with a strong start and after getting upright to increase his speed and be steady, something no sprinter in the world has ever done. Bolt starts poorly, but Bolt is on another level. Ben was 20 years ahead of his time.
She was Ben’s training partner and part of Charlie’s sprint group, I think she’s being very honest, she raced during the height of the doping era and seen if you wanted to compete at the highest level you either took steroids or became an also ran. Sad but very true
Carl Lewis has broken his silence on allegations that he was the beneficiary of a drugs cover-up, admitting he had tested positive for banned substances but claiming he was just one of "hundreds" of American athletes who were allowed to escape bans. "There were hundreds of people getting off," he said. "Everyone was treated the same." Lewis has now acknowledged that he failed three tests during the 1988 US Olympic trials, which under international rules at the time should have prevented him from competing in the Seoul games two months later.
@@Pad4724 You are a freaking lier. Throughout Carl Lewis's career, he was never involved with any drugs. As you claimed, why wasn't he ever being disqualified?
Total injustice. Ben is the greatest sprinter that ever lived. If he had not turned around to taunt Carl Lewis he would have run a 9.69 that day in Seoul. Intergalactic stuff.
Bigwigs in the Canadian Federal gov't knew all along, stayed silent while reaping publicity and personal advantages while Ben was gettting juiced by some eastern caribbean pseudo-physician. All those Ottawa and Toronto types ran away like roaches on that infamous Sept 27th day.
Ben Johnson was the poster boy for steroids in the olympics. They really punished him. They erased all his records, why didn't they do that to Carl Lewis, Flo Jo and others?
If Ben Johnson was from the USA or GDR or the USSR he would still be Olympic champion. I still believe his issues were simply because he was out doing Carl Lewis almost every race for 3 years and Mr Track had to win despite it now being widely known he was also on medication.
to help the simpletons understand how technical superiority is applied here . all were on whatever . doesn’t matter . johnson = 46 steps christie = 43.5 steps lewis 43 . steps . more steps = more contact with the ground more accelerating. less time on ground floating is decelerating. please use logic . study things . save the world from your ignorance. go back to basics . and count .
Superlative documentary.....the narrator, the eerie music... everything was perfect 😊
ikr? beautifully done
It’s sad that people don’t know what really happened in Seoul. Charlie Francis told most of it in his book “Speed Trap”. After the Seoul catastrophe, Charlie and his athletes had to face many things, but none was more devastating than the Dubiin Inquiry. This was a legal proceeding, maybe the first of its kind. Everyone was required to testify under oath. Lying could result in jail time. At the centre of it were Ben Johnson and Charlie Francis. They were both so open about what they had done that it cost Ben all his medals and his records going back years. Ben was banned from racing for the rest of his prime athletic years. Charlie was banned from coaching athletes for LIFE. In retrospect, those sentences were extremely punitive.
They had both told the truth. Ben was on steroids, but not the Stanazolol steroid the IOC claimed was in his sample. This contradiction was irrelevant in terms of the outcomes of the Dubin inquiry. Steroids are steroids. Ben and Charlie had admitted to steroid use under oath. That was all that mattered. But what really happened in Seoul then?
When the news of Ben’s test results came back, Dick Pound, who was with the Canadian Team organization, went before and IOC committee to plead Ben’s case. By this time, everyone knew that the security had broken down completely in the athletes drug testing area. There were people without proper accreditation wandering around in the area which was supposed to be secure. No one knew what they were doing there.
Dick Pound made the case that anyone could have spiked the bottles of water that Ben was drinking in order to give a urine sample. Impossible to prove that Ben had steroids in his system before the race. The committee responded that Ben’s endocrine profile indicated long term steroid use. Endocrine profile? Dick responded that he wasn’t properly prepared to defend Ben on that charge. That wasn’t the original charge. The committee told Dick, who was a lawyer, that it didn’t matter. This wasn’t a court of law and Ben was disqualified. Dick could do nothing more for Ben. It was over. By this time the Media had spread the word that Ben was disqualified for Stanazolol found in his urine sample. There was no point in trying to correct the record, Ben was still disqualified and no one would care about technicalities that changed nothing.
Endocrine profile? What was that all about? The claim was made that Ben’s natural testosterone levels weren’t normal, something that happens with Steroid use. That test was actually run on all the athletes urine samples. After all the damage was done, Charlie managed to get the results of those tests. More than 80% of all the male athletes in track had the same problem with their endocrine profile as Ben. Ben was the only athlete to be disqualified on the results of those endocrine profile tests.
Charlie had also got a bit more information about Ben’s urine sample. The Stanazolol in Ben’s urune was undifferentiated, meaning that it could of only been in his system for a very short time. The public perception of steroids was like they were magic. You take them and you are immediately stronger and faster. But that’s not how they work. There would have been no point in Ben having put Stanazolol in his system right before the race. It would do nothing in the short term and was a sure way to be caught. Furthermore, they had tried Stanazolol on Ben years before and it had an effect of making Ben’s muscles tight and he actually ran slower. That was the reason Ben was using a different steroid. Another mystery. How did that steroid get in Ben’s sample?
Many years later, Charlie found out that the Stanazolol in Ben’s urine had not only been undifferentiated, it had actually been PURE. Only one way that could happen. Pure Stanazolol somehow got into Ben’s urine sample in the lab. But was it a case of accidental contamination, or was it done on purpose? Impossible to tell now. In any case, Seoul was ancient history.
Was Ben set up? Of course, there were powerful people and big money riding on Carl winning the 100m. Much more so than Ben. Insiders knew that everyone was taking steroids, but they’d never been able to catch Ben. It was the same reason they weren’t catching other big names either. There wasn’t random testing in those days. If you were an important athlete, you were working with a team of professional trainers and ‘nutritional’ experts who knew exactly how long you needed to be off the steroids before testing in order to not be caught. The magic of Steroids was that they helped you workout longer, harder and recover faster for months on end. There was no reason to risk taking them too close to the important, drug tested races.
So, was someone paid off to contaminate Ben’s urine sample? Someone who didn’t know what steroid Ben was using? Stanazolol was probably a good bet because lots of athletes were using it. Did they not anticipate the security breaking down in the drug testing area? Is that why they came up with the endocrine profile excuse, but only for Ben? You be the judge.
It is interesting that the same Dick Pound that went along with the IOC Committee on Ben’s disqualification later became the head of the IOC’s drug testing program and was at one time on the short list for the job of new leader of the IOC. Coincidence? Reward?
Nobody is going to read all that crap you wrote
Thanks for sharing the details.The man was set up and the American public knew but they didn't care.
@@floydd4779 Wrong. Some of us like a little truth sprinkled in with our daily dose of lies.
Some deep stuff
OMG it's easy to figure it out now that you explain it clearly. Ben was on the path to be Super Human speed in 1988 that 9.79 was just the beginning for Ben speed in 100 meters. Like they stopped Flow Jo they were going to catch her no matter what it takes.
Ben had a beautiful stride. There was no wasted motion from head to toe. He didn't have a height advantage with regards to length of stride. Truly one of if not the greatest sprinter of all time.
Your comment made me moist in the in between. Especially about the beautiful stride with no wasted motion from head to toe.
@@ameliabedelia7018 Lol Sounds like you could use some concentrated head to toe attention.
Yes! I’m a dancer at Big Al’s and I’m used to getting attention. Attention on my assets, if you know what I mean wink 😉
Not true
He is a liar and cheater
He does not deserve to be on the podium
@@AssadNiang Listen, everyone was on PEDs and he was the quickest. Do some research into the drug programs Germany, Russia and yes the U.S. Canada has always been at a disadvantage whereas most of the athletes had day jobs and weren't supported by big money like the U.S. Carl Lewis was on PEDs, was taller and had big money behind him but despite these disadvantages Ben beat him. Now, if he were the only one "cheating" then I could agree with you. Do you know what it's like training for a lifetime and knowing you are going to lose because everyone is cheating? Let's get real, as I stated Ben had a beautiful stride with no wasted motion. Drugs don't do that.
Funny how the passage of time has proved Charlie Francis right. All the other athletes in the 100m were on the juice too so you could choose to play on a level playing field or lineup 10m behind the rest. If Ben is American the IOC never announces a positive test as well all know its money that talks when it comes to the IOC. You'll never strip away the joy of watching Ben crush Carl Lewis .
Your documentary Will not change or erase his name in the history of track. He Will remain GREAT in the heart of millions of People around thé world.
Doper… cheaters get disqualified from history
Then they should all get disqualified because they all used to dop that era. controls are more strict nowadays than those periods and also politics played important role on dopping controls
@@elhadjimalickdiallo7893 that era and today my friend. If the anti dopping commission do their work 100% honest nobody will compete. NOBODY!!!
That 100 m final was dirtier than a wicker toilet seat. And Carl Lewis should have been banned from participating because he failed three tests at the US Olympic trials. The brilliant Ben Johnson was made a scapegoat, that’s for sure.
His excuse was cough mixture...loop hole
They’re all cheaters. Ben Johnson isn’t brilliant. He’s a disgrace. Yes he was scapegoated but stop trying to rewrite history and put Johnson on a pedestal. He got what he deserved. Cheating because everyone else is does not make it right.
@@ghostrider764 Exactly. 1+
@Mark Metternich Then they’re all idiots for putting something in their body which could harm them down the road for a medal.
@Mark Metternich He’s not and never will be
The main reason Carl Lewis was so angry was that he didn't win. He was doping too, it was so widespread in the 80's and 90's and he was caught for it too, the Americans just covered it up better. Johnson was used as a scapegoat for the doping in '88, because the Yanks wanted the medals for themselves. Lewis was just so vain and arrogant that he wanted ALL the glory for himself.
Agree with everyone you wrote. Pretty much my opinion of the situation and of carl lewis also. He was jealous af he wanted to be the face the big name the superstar. Major sore loser when he got beat. 🤣
Yea u definitely Canadian dude couldn't even beat local competition off the drugs
@@kyleatherton88
He had nothing to prove..Johnson cheated and got caught.
Very well said, I've never understood why Lewis was popular. Got beat at the most important event and was a sore loser, looking back at him he was hard to like actually.
@@jameskemp5911 as you say, he was a bad loser, but an even worse winner? So arrogant.
Carl Lewis has broken his silence on allegations that he was the beneficiary of a drugs cover-up, admitting he had tested positive for banned substances but claiming he was just one of "hundreds" of American athletes who were allowed to escape bans.
"There were hundreds of people getting off," he said. "Everyone was treated the same."
Lewis has now acknowledged that he failed three tests during the 1988 US Olympic trials, which under international rules at the time should have prevented him from competing in the Seoul games two months later.
Which is total b.s meaning they allowed this to happen because carl was US poster boy of athletics. USTAF i believe have been shady for years. Not so much nowadays but 80s and 90s definately let so many athletes off the hook just to keep medal numbers up. Ben johnson was just made a scapegoat for a dirty sport. I honestly believe any athlete than can get under 9.80 for the 100m is doped. Im still a fan of the sport have been for many years. But theres far more that dont get caught than what do get caught
What video?
@Rochelle carmel i hope you are right. id certainly like to think so. Its just that most of the guys posting those crazy fast times have all been done for stimulants or steroids
CARL never took steroids or HGH what he tested positive for was later taken off the banned substances list .
@@100xloading cough mixture
Ben Johnson was so good it’s frightening.
За это Бена и убрали,он уничтожил всех в Сеуле
I just remember how jacked Johnson was. Then he just exploded out to he blocks like nobody had ever seen.
Carl Lewis has broken his silence on allegations that he was the beneficiary of a drugs cover-up, admitting he had tested positive for banned substances but claiming he was just one of "hundreds" of American athletes who were allowed to escape bans.
"There were hundreds of people getting off," he said. "Everyone was treated the same."
Lewis has now acknowledged that he failed three tests during the 1988 US Olympic trials, which under international rules at the time should have prevented him from competing in the Seoul games two months later.
@@Pad4724 It was pervasive.
@@Pad4724 I heard this too that he was caught and the TV networks said if you punish Carl they’ll pull the coverage, apparently was $1 billion of coverage
No one talks about the guy that came in 3rd Calvin Smith, he was the only one out of the top 4 in that race to not be on steroids
I've just downloaded the audio book " the dirtiest race in history".
Where I think it explores much of what you are saying.
The whole lot was on some form of Something
No one ever mentions that Carl Lewis also failed the steroid test that year but he talked his way out of it by saying he was taking cold medicine. I remember a druggist saying that he would had to take tremendous amount
@@johnnwako2488 Sorry, He did test positive during the US trials and so did Flo Jo but there was a cover up since most communist states had state sponsored doping....the US Olympic committee shelved and covered up.
@@johnnwako2488 Flo Jo was so obviously super juiced it's embarrassing. Still a great athlete. But to be at the absolute top when the majority if not all your competitors are doping forces you to make a choice: you also take the chemical advantage of doping, or you don't make it to the upper echelons of the sport. A simple choice for most humans, especially when all the outsized spoils of wealth and fame accrue to the victor(s).
What everyone forgets is that Carl Lewis also did not pass his drug test that year. However, he said that it was due to cold medicine he was taking. However, a druggist said for cold medicine to show up in that percentage he would have to take it by the case load. The American Olympic committee let it pass.
The IOC and USATF are a mafia. Most American athletes are using now Peptides.
I remember my elder brother, who was a serious sportsman himself, used to say that the Americans used drugs to enhance their performance then. I was skeptical. Turned out he was dead right.
What about Flo Jo?
That was for ephedrine not nandrolone.
Lewis levels were NOT performance enhancing.
Johnson was doped to the gills.
I believe it was ephedrine and yes, it’s very common with track athletes.
I can’t stand Carl Lewis and yes he failed drug test as well
Ben got retired by this age 27. Metres before the finish line he was already raising his hand. I’m sure he could have ran faster than 9.79.
I hate CARL LEWIS from the bottom of my heart, I can't explain why but I believe BEN was the best.
В яблочко
He was up to his eyes on steroids Einstein
I was stupid enough to wait up until about 4 in the morning to watch this race
@@michaeldevaney5728 so was and is everyone else, Einstein
It also made him a scapegoat for the entire track and field world who were all doing the same thing. The world owes Ben an apology.
Don't be an opologist ok.
Just be Correct !
Youre not wrong. He beat everyone. Carl lewis used so much hgh and steroids his jaw grew at age 24 and he needed braces. 7 of the 8 runners were caught
@@deadarmd need proof please
@@Kahoot63 it's easy to find, all you have to do is look
The IOC had all the evidence. When Ben's test came back positive there was still unmetabolized steroids in his urine. That meant he would have had to take them within 2 hours of the race which made no sense. Dick Pound who later became head of WADA was the Canadian rep who argued that this was a tainted sample. He would have won but the IOC came back with Johnson's steroid profile which proved he had used steroids in the past. If the IOC had used this steroid profile evidence 75% of the track athletes in Seoul would have been disqualified.
Carl Lewis tested positive for several PEDs in the run up to the Olympics but it was not widely publicised and he was not punished. Would have been good if the documentary had mentioned this.
True he's just as much guilty. He loves to act as if he's innocent and he was wronged and robbed.
US Team with Flo Jo was especially was pumped, however I'd love to get some proof Lewis was 'vaccinated' as they say, because he had a great technique and never manifested hugely telling increments in PB's like Flo Jo and Johnson. If Lewis was doping then they all were.
Am going to sue you for you to release the proof you've obtain.
@@blessedthanksgiving457 haha, you prat 😂 Looking forward to the Court Case in Nut Job land
@@christopherreynolds9254
hope am not a prat like the lady whose womb you came through, I strongly feel something went on on your being conceived, if not, that would've not been your response; its fair to perceive, you're legacy is strife and, lawsuit, and you being the defendant. Keep in mind this taught (if you can think) every day; bucket goes down into well, one day it sinks. David and Goliath. Your strive will catch up to you; INHERET LAWS.... "dark shadows" you full of darkness, for the lack of knowledge, a people perish. Get Jesus and live, when you do, truth is foremost and country is second place, and our words is Very sought out before spoken, you won't catch the drift! when a dog is use to sucking eggs.... can't stop. And people from Jamaica never do wrong, I like track, I follow facts, I read 2019.Trinidad and Tobago, won gold in the 400 relay, how? They came in second place, after drug test, they called the Trinbagonians, and upgraded them from silver, to GOLD, why? after drug testing, there was drugs in JAMAICA'S URIN. That relay took place in 2017 to 2018.
Ben Johnson is one of the greatest of all time. Always will be. I don’t give a fu#% if he took banned substances. We still have no idea how many races and medals were won by athletes taking performance enhancing drugs.
But how can somebody be the greatest of all time if their victory was based on a lie?
The media is far more corrupt than Ben. As of 2022, all I believe is the weather report if it’s the same weather I see out my window.
TRUE) 10)22)
@@Musicienne-DAB1995 I don’t see using performance enhancing substances a lie because it’s still the athlete doing the work and training to achieve goals. Are they less great without? Yes. But they also take many substances not banned like b12 injections, stimulants. Johnson got caught. Countless others didn’t. We have absolutely no clue as to how many gold medals were won by athletes using steroids. Perhaps the solution is have one competition for those who don’t want to use, and another for those who are using and see what happens. I worked in circuses with performers who took steroids. Chinese, Russian, Colombian, South African, Americans. No one ever tested them or even brought it up. Ticket holders were in awe of their superhuman abilities. But it was still the artist/athlete working their entire life and careers to master their skills of acrobatics, strength, and more.
I agree. 9.79 doing the same thing his competition was.
I don’t care. This race was one of the most exciting events I’ve ever seen. The build up had gone on for about two years and Ben smoked Lewis. What came a couple of days later was sad but at that moment it was awesome. And looking at the reality of the doping situation then, I still think Ben is the best. Sorry Usain, you’re cool too..
IMO ... all these athletes are on some sort of designer PEDs ahead of the testing agencies. Even Lewis' tests came up positive during Olympic Trials ... but wasnt revealed until much later. If Lewis had not been an American, and Johnson was running for the USA ..... Johnson would still be considered the greatest sprinter ever. All that put aside ..... dream race .... Johnson's start and out of the block speed vs Bolts stride and acceleration. Could Johnson maintain or would Bolt overtake ??
@@patricksweeney5308 he failed three times before the Seoul 88' but they played it off as a cold medicine. All of them were on juice.
@@johnnwako2488 do you really believe that? If you do then...
@@johnnwako2488 That's just the cover-up so that the golden boy would remain golden. He was on the juice just like the rest of them. But if you want to keep singing that lullaby don't let me top you.
he wouldn't be considered the greatest sprinter ever...that would be Bolt!!!! PERIOD
@@johnnwako2488 Equating cold medicine found in Lewis with multiple anabolic steroids found in Johnson multiple times, not just after this race, is idiotic. Lewis was arrogant and annoying and American so everyone loves to dump on him now that they found out he tested positive for trace elements of cold medicine. Just ridiculous. The guy might be annoying, but he didn't cheat like walking steroid, Ben Johnson did his whole career. Johnson's eyes were literally yellow, he had so much steroids in him. And the guy kept getting busted over and over even many years later when he attempted a come back.
If Ben Johnson was from the usa the test woulda been covered up & he would have gone down in history as the greatest ever sprinter
I think so. Lewis was juiced af.
Nobody liked Johnson. Carl Lewis was the Olympian, the Athlete & Sportsman of the Century because he had class besides being a great athlete.
Wolverine Pete class? He’s an absolute douchebag, even today. Bolt set the record straight
@BetaOnPurposeLMS-coach Yeah because he was so hated, that's why they awarded him Olympian, Athlete & Sportsman of the Century. That makes total sense. As far as egomaniacs go I haven't seen a top sprinter that wasn't one. Carl Lewis knew Johnson cheated but was still man enough to offer his congratulatory hand which was rebuked by Johnson. Johnson's mother in the stands after the race during an interview kept mockingly saying "Carl who?". In less than 24 hours Johnson would be on his way to becoming a forgotten footnote in Canadian sports and Lewis would become a legend.
@BetaOnPurposeLMS-coach Kid? I'm probably the only person commenting on this post that was an adult when Ben Johnson shamed his country in 88' and the true victor was awarded the gold medal. I can speak about Lewis because that is my generation. Ben Johnson was a flunkie & Bolt was in diapers at that time. Sounds to me that you're just bitter that Ben Johnson is a never was been living in his mother's basement with his high school & college trophies. Bad mouth Lewis all you want. He bent you all over. 😂
Whatever...He was my childhood hero. He is still my hero. I couldn't sleep for nights after hearing the decision. His physic, body made grate impact on me. I wanted to be like him...
For me, he is the greatest athlete I have ever seen
Agreed.
He’s a great champion. There are countless athletes who took steroids and won medals. Ben was a scapegoat. I worked in circuses with acrobatic performers from China, Russia, Romania, South Africa, Colombia, USA, and almost all of them used steroids. No one ever tested them or even brought it up. Audiences paid big money to see us perform and walked away amazed. It was still the performer doing the work a those years to master their skills. All the steroids did was help give them more strength and endurance.
You need a better hero there's only one supernatural hero who can save your soul. THATS JESUS'CHRIST
@@livefree316 gobshite
As time ticks by, more and more will eventually come out about this incredible 100m epoch. However, if you are in any doubt that Ben Johnson was singled out (for a myriad of reasons no doubt), then have a read of Richard Moore's excellent piece "The Dirtiest Race in History", it provides balance, cold-hard facts and real perspective.
Exactly, they were all juiced. It’s fair game.
@@kovy689
Over 80% of the male athletes. If they wanted a clean event, 20% would have been left, sufficient to have an Olympics.
@@michaeledwards2251 Well nowadays it’s 99%. I wouldn’t be surprised if it was a full 100%.
@@kovy689
The 80% was merely based on those who could have detected by the tests available in 1988. It doesn't mean there weren't heavy usage of other PEDs.
@@michaeledwards2251 Yea, designer PEDs and clone versions of the original were widely available to bypass testings. The whole screening process is a big sham.
What a shame. 30 years after it is very clear that he was the best and most natural sprinter. Not more doped than the rest of them...
Amazing your comment has been on here a year without any crique.obviiusly no one except canadians and Jamaicans are part of the 30 clowns whim supported you.carl lewis was the gifted one not on dope you dope.he was 6th or 7th place finisher b4 steroids.
Yeah you can look at Ben Johnson and Carl Lewis and it's clear one used juice and one didn't.
@@bluethunder4542 Carl Lewis failed dope tests aswell in 1988 he tested positive three times during the 1988 US Olympic trials, which were covered up, he states this himself look it up, the guardian newspaper it's a trusted news site. It's titled "Lewis:" who cares I failed drug test?"
@@bluethunder4542 they were all doping including Carl...the Canadian stuff was just better 😂
@@whatisdoneinthedarkwillbeb9204 Ben Johnson look alot like Gatlin and Tyson Gay now
Everyone has something they have to overcome. But you can't make excuses. We all have to take responsibility for our behavior, don't we?
Exactly. The 'everyone cheats' excuse is distasteful.
@@Musicienne-DAB1995He’s a narc
I met him in High School, He was a quiet shy guy usually wearing Adidas track pants. I felt so sorry for him after what happened in Seoul.😢
Ben Johnson was thrilling to watch and brought us the joy of amazement, the quintessential purpose of sport.
The purpose of sport is to inject yourself with drugs to alter your body chemistry because you're not good enough to do it on your own talent? Just to bring us "amazement"? I think we have different definitions of "purpose of the sport".
This was sad. I just wish him peace.
The greatest sporting ever! I will never forget this 100 meter final.
HGH can make one superhuman..
How is this is greatest, when we witnessed Bolt running 9:69 N 9:58??
What I wrote was about the event not about individuals. The build-up for this race was incredible. By the way Ben did run a 9.79
@@robertanddoreenharrison2830 he was up to his eyes on steroids Einstein of course he ran quick he was on massive amounts of steroids ie cheat cheat cheat cheat cheat cheat cheat cheat cheat cheat cheat
Johnson was not the only one on the juice that day.
I think they all were except calvin smith
Why Ben Johnson? I'll tell you why... BECAUSE HE BEAT CARL LEWIS. PERIOD. he could have beat a million and one other runners and no one would have cared if he was on steroids or not.... end of story.
I highly doubt that. I'm an American, I loved Ben Johnson. Most Americans are kinda lukewarm on Carl Lewis.
@@akimball7675 it's not about public opinion... it's what the United States were trying to elevate the name of Carl Lewis. The other behind the scenes issues were ben leaving Adidas and going to diadora. Carl would do and say anything his handlers wanted. Ben wasn't like that, so they black balked him. Everyone was using something today and in the past. Did you know that the Olympics didn't have a test for stanozolol until two weeks before the Olympics? AND it was developed by a Canadian doctor. On top of that Ben wasn't even using stanozolol. Sounds fishy to me...
Fax and carl lewis wuz nothing but a hater and cry baby...
@@malikkimanimaasai3703 Carl cried until they put a case on him. Carl had failed drug tests before but no one did anything. On top of it back then they didn't test for HGH. Something I'm sure Carl used because he threw on braces in his mid to late 20s
@@TheProdigalSon325
💯
Even in that race 6 out of 8 athletes were tested positive. Why IOC didn'tt ban them. Even Carl Lewis was tested positive in 1988 Olympic trials and also after that final race, Christie was also tested positive even after his last race and during his career but IOC didn't stripped their medal. That's why athletic had faced so much controversy and criticism even the interest of people's for this sport. I don't know which rules of doping are IOC following.
Do you know caffeine is on the band list... So if I can convince the ioc that I drink three cups of coffee.. I can beat a positive test.. that's a rough example but it's true.. the amount of the band substance that was found in Carl Lewis system did not say abuse.. he had his day in court and he won..
@@Haraka111 band or ban ??
@@Haraka111 Lewis failed multiple tests
1988 men's 100 metre Olympic final was possibly the most tainted race ever
You can't achieve what been achieved on "drugs" only. Ben should be declared winner and given his Olympic medal back
Given an endocrine imbalance was tested for, for all the athletes, and 80% were shown to be cheating, the whole 80% should be disqualified and all the medals awarded to the rightful winners.
Its a pity the 10 year amnesty is up : the public relations exercise of making Ben Johnson a scape goat worked.
Mind you, Carl Lewis didn’t look like a steroid user. He wasn't a muscle head. He was more lean. Not a bulked up dude like Johnson. Johnson was set up though, in my opinion. Due to the complete lack of security at the testing and storage area, and the fact that he had pure stanozolol in his sample. Johnson didn't even take Stanozolol. He's admitted that he took steroids, but not that particular steroid. Ever.
No'one exploded out of those blocks like Ben, he looked like a panther waiting to pounce on It's prey, he gave us a glimpse of the future of what times humans would achieve.
This was one of my favourite Olympics games Seoul 1988. Because of itv fantastic intro and first time in a long time USA and Russia and east Germany at the same games. and it had the wow factor in both the 100 m and 200 m women and the men's 100 m final.we know the later outcome , but the build up to the races was unbelievable And the speed of Johnson out of the blocks and pulling away ,I will never forget that excitement and shock of that moment only at the 2008 Olympics men 100 m and 2009 world championship
Drugs or not. Still, the most 100 m I've ever seen.
I absolutely agree,,, and they did that man wrong even though he put himself in that position.... I could have stripped him at least a month later though.. they didn't have to disgrace that man like that..
Carl Lewis has broken his silence on allegations that he was the beneficiary of a drugs cover-up, admitting he had tested positive for banned substances but claiming he was just one of "hundreds" of American athletes who were allowed to escape bans.
"There were hundreds of people getting off," he said. "Everyone was treated the same."
Lewis has now acknowledged that he failed three tests during the 1988 US Olympic trials, which under international rules at the time should have prevented him from competing in the Seoul games two months later.
@@Pad4724
Where is the article to back up your statement? I've not seen or heard anything of the sort.
@@markcynic808what planet have you been living on then! I've read many things like this, that's what makes my blood boil!
@@jameskemp5911
Oh, the earth. You know the one, Where's there's supposed to be intelligent life forms? I don't find much intelligence here. Anyway... What makes your blood boil is wilful ignorance.
Lewis was found to have 6ppm of pseudoephedrine or similar in his blood. You know what length ban having 6ppm would result in today? None. The limit is now 10ppm. Why? Because the substances are so commonly found in various foodstuffs. No steroid story, no blood doping, no cheating to be found. Try elsewhere for someone to demonise, you clot.
First thing that comes to mind about the 1988 Olympics is not who won what, but about Ben Johnson who won and lost. To his defense, IMO at Olympic level, there are more winners who cheat and don't get caught, than winners who don't cheat.
The only difference between Ben Johnson and the rest of the field of athletes is Ben Johnson got caught.
Not everyone is cheating, that’s an insult to those who actually put in the work.
@@JayBelafonte
Out of that field of runners, Tell me how many test results came back dirty. I know that you don't know so I'll tell you.........It was 6 runners. Even Carl Lewis came back dirty but it was covered up. You don't know much about the politics of sports. Either that, or you have your head in the sand. Do you need proof? Do your research.
That's the truth.
@@JayBelafonte it came out well after so it didn't make a huge story like Ben getting caught only days after. Only 2 still haven't been caught but I suspect they did do because of the era
True
When Ben's mom told his coach that he gets nothing without a contract, they were really going to be doomed from there..He introduced the drugs to Ben, and then turned on him.
Where you get this information from?
I remember this from 1988 : given it is now over 30 years ago, the details are hard to recall.
(Any reference, video, etc, would be appreciated. )
Remember, every runner in that race went on to have their own steroid scandal. Yes even Carl Lewis
OK... But Johnson's doping scandal caused huge embarrassment for the sport for years afterwards. Difficult to feel any sympathy for someone so selfish that they would make it more difficult for people to believe great sporting achievements.
@@Musicienne-DAB1995 same can be said for each & EVERY athlete caught... CHEATING is rampant in all sports, by most every country on international level, from soccer & swimming to track & field and biathlon & marathon
@@1iota1420 I know that. And what Ben Johsnon did still caused immeasurable damage to athletics.
@@Musicienne-DAB1995 NO NO NO, had Carl Lewis been caught or any American for that matter the REAL truth would be out and THAT would have RUINED ALL sports so get OFF Ben's case when there are bigger names who have shamed athletics
@@1iota1420 Ben Johnson got on his own case by cheating repeatedly. I am just pointing out what he had already admitted to when the facts piled up around him.
It was the era. It was what it was. Still one of the greatest sprinters ever. That start was amazing.
Not one finger pointing at Lewis in this documentary. That doesn't seem right.
??
I’m reminded of the adage “ everybody else is doing it…” That viewpoint can make you think you’re a target, and more recently and worse, the victim of racism. You can own it and blame yourself then regrow or continue holding others accountable.
So crazy how Ben was the only one whose life was destroyed, when every single athlete was injecting steroids at the time. This includes Flo Jo, and Carl Lewis.
Not Carl Lewis, you lying DEVIL.
USA was in battle against Carl Lewis, for him DEMANDING, better wages, hotel conditions and great seating of his family during events, if he was doing drugs, they would've stripped Carl Lewis without mercy.
America cares more about CAPITALISM and Mr. Lewis was against that.
Secondly Carl Lewis is a Very INTELLIGENT PERSON, and both parents were COACHES.
Lier Lier pants on fire.
@@atlboo98 YOU TELL EM, LIAR,LIAR,PANTS ON FIRE,,,WHAAAAAAAAT THE HELL IS THAT SCHOOL BOY CHANTING SHIT !!!!!!!!!!!???????
Flo Jo didn't use any drugs, don't lie, she literally never failed a drug test, even after her death
@@quintonb9908 she died over 10 yrs after her last race. no traces of PEDs would of been in her system then. There is no way an average 27 yr old sprinter gets that fast in 1 year. She went from decent to world record breaking at the age of 28. That just doesnt happen. look at her physical changes during that time. look at her face. look at her jawline in 87 and look at it in 88. If u believe she didnt uses PEDs then i have some beach front property in Idaho to sale to you. Plus she retired right when random testing beagn. Barry Bonds never failed a drug test either so i guess he never used steroids 😑
@@atlboo98 For stimulants not steroids.Lewis, in fact, tested positive three times for small amounts of banned stimulants: pseudoephedrine, ephedrine and phenylpropanola-mine.😷☘️🇮🇪.
Anyone know how or where to get that poster of Ben that he gas of himself on the wall? I would love one...
ALL THOSE SPIRNTERS WERE LOADED IN 1984 AND 1988. BEN WHOOPED ALL THEIR ASSES. I DONT WANNA HEAR IT.
He's from the same place in Jamaica where Bolt is from....Falmouth, Trelawney
Sherwood Content is in Falmouth?
It's spelt Trelawny
This documentary should’ve been titled “Sacrificial Lamb”.
Totally. All 8 men who ran that 100m final were very likely drugged up - only the others had more luck with their masking drugs and testing.
@OBJ OfficialBlackJustice Nah....he admitted he used. He was tested positive 2 months before the Olympics and the USOC buried his results. It's a sad fact of life that no later than the 84 games it just became a shitshow of everyone doing it.
@OBJ OfficialBlackJustice ROFLMAO!! Lewis wasn't clean, man! THG. Undetectable at the time. Ask Darrell Robinson, who was shunned by the US athletic community because he revealed secrets. Lewis is worse than any of them because he claimed to be holier than thou. What a scumbag.
For real!!!!
@OBJ OfficialBlackJustice never
Those of you sticking up for Johnson. He came back in 1992 and got busted again! Gimmie a break!
To be honest ,after years of scrutiny ,you could probly reinstall him as gold medalist ,as it's been found that all of them had cheated ,just he got caught at the time ,
I agree with this ✊
“It is easier to fool people than to convince people they have been fooled.”
- Mark Twain
I completely feel bad for Ben Johnson because a majority of the athletes were doing the exact same thing. However saying that he did not know what he was taking he knowingly accepted and took what his coach gave him it is his responsibility as an athlete to do the research no matter how old he is. I did extensive research as an athlete as young as 14 years old & up.
Given Ben Johnson didn't have an alternative career, and it evident doping was rife, he had little practical choice.
They were all on drugs, they were all equal , Ben was the best, i have total respect for him
Yeah, it's definitely a problem when people look up to cheaters.
@@myurick988 you have know idea about high level Competitive sports. All high level athletes-have been on peds at least since the 1920s
@@chrislong1287 agreed even Arnold considered the best weightlifter of all time was on peds.
@@chrislong1287 really? Ryun? Coe? Ovett?
Get real
@@michaeladrian2210 yes, cocaine was popular before steroids. In fact the IAAF began drug testing in 1928. Interesting law article below
scholarship.law.upenn.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1258&context=jbl
Way to go baby you still my boy
In a 100 m dash you are as good to win as good you start. Here Ben is legend. Nobody could win him except they joined in drugs as initial 5 feet distance can't be overtaken in so short span. Check all the startings, Ben had that. That kind of start, skill of Maradona can't be created by drugs. Those officials are totally nonsense.
Ben is a legend !
Hees a legend for taking steroids he is a cheat
Ben Johnson, the best 100m sprinter to have ever lived! I think history is certainly proving how wrongly he was treated knowing what we do about all the others....
Yeah on steroid.
@@blessedthanksgiving457 yes like the rest of them....
Usain bolt is the greatest. Johnson isn't even close to his achievements.
It will always be Usain Bolt and Carl Lewis.
So with reference to Carl Lewis when did a faster recorded time for Johnson not come close to his achievements? your comment is absolute nonsence! Johnson was the better sprinter for sure.
@@fender1000100 but Lewis was on steroids too.
Comments kissing bolt azz. 2017 worlds a natural "958" placed 3rd behind 990 first place. What was different here? Strict dope testing removed one component and he became slow. Elaine placed 5th in her final when the peds are removed from workout/warmup.
Ben Johnson got screwed. Others have done and never got caught.
Lewis and Christie both failed tests that year
So that's being screwed?
He was used as the scapegoat for so many.
drugs or no drugs....Ben Johnson was ahead of his time. Fastest man ever. please, I can take all the steroids and not run 11 secs..spare me the malarkey...
Exactly. These self righteous hypocrites think that it's a magic potion.
Exactly especially in sprints
You’re missing the point.
@@dwgherkemasnurdbird4803 everyone was on peds some just didn't get caught man. Why do you think its considered the "fastest race of all time?"
You said “fastest man ever”. But he was on drugs to perform the feat and he, indeed, owned up. So what exactly are we trying to defend or justify here.
If you are trying to make a case on the grounds that majority of his competitors equally cheated, which would actually be shaky because they weren’t officially caught and declared so, neither did they confess as he did, then it’ll be a totally different matter.
A cheat is a cheat. We shouldn’t condone it!
Ben Johnson was just more honest than others
He was honest AFTER he got caught only.
@@Grief_Weasel he’s been accountable too
Johnson was the man. Yes he cheated, but so did the others... And look how far behind they are... Have a look at the technical perfection ! If there are two races to remember, this one is the first one. The second one saw Bolt running the 100 meters in 9.58 s.
Both cheated
@@amirtz3342 without doubt they both cheated as did Carl Lewis and Linford Christie all cheats... Alan Wells was another one.
Who got caught and who didn’t?
Can’t use that everyone does it so I can do it too bullshit!!!
It will come a day when a man have to answer the consequences or reap the benefits of his own actions..... Sure they could have stripped that man a month later... But he put himself in that position simple..
@@cinzanobianco1 Carl Lewis did not cheat if he did he would have been banned... And if it was any type of cover up you wouldn't know about it right now... Caffeine is a band substance it's on the band list... But if I can convince the panel that I had three cups of coffee..and the amount of caffeine found in my system add up to three cups of coffee which isn't abuse.. I can get off and that's what happened.. the amount of the band substance found in Carl Lewis system did not indicate abuse simple...
Ben Johnson scandal wasn’t the only scandal the Roy Jones scandal was just as bad when he clearly won gold in boxing and got robbed.
It was still a great race!
Jose Zuniga Greatest ever!
True
Thay did that man wrong..
You all bunch of dishonest demons,.to call evil good.
@@Haraka111
he got what he deserved, and he has no remorse.
Ben Johnson the crock, doesn't even identify himself as a Jamaican, he says am Canadian.
The narrative on this has several flaws including the statement on the clip from 1985in Zurich when Johnson beat Lewis. “Johnson would go on to be undefeated for 3 years”. This is incorrect. In 1986 Johnson ran in Gateshead and was beaten by a come backing Allan Wells.
Ben was as 'clean' as EVERY other olympic or national level athlete. ;)
Lewis was on them too and privately tested positive prior to Seoul. There’s an interview on UA-cam tube from an American sports scientist that warned Lewis to taper before those Olympics. Johnson was just the scapegoat…
That time is still sick though. That being said, if you don't follow the rules this happens. You can say all you want everyone's doing it, but they didn't get caught buddy. Do I feel bad for Ben? Yes. I am an American, and I cheer for Americans, but not in this case, I do feel Johnson is better than Lewis; that being said, Ben Johnson made a choice, and if you make those choices you know the risks. By the way of course he will raise suspicious, look how jacked up he is!
They come a time in a man life where you're going to reap the benefits or suffer the consequences of your own actions.... And that's what happened to Johnson...And as far as him being better than Carl Lewis look at the 1984 Olympic final when he was clean what happened then...
Agree with this comment 100%. It's weird to be seeing people defend Ben Johnson for cheating. Even seen some say "He didn't even need the drugs. He was that good" 🙄
But like you said, I do feel bad that he got all the blame. But cheating is still cheating.
Sorry, but Lewis was caught out doping too. The U.S athletics squad just covered it up better. Doping was rife in the 80's. People are quick to condemn...but not so quick to be as critical of their 'heroes'. Lewis has had an easy ride, but the fact remains that he was doing it too.
@@Haraka111 so an athlete can't improve over a 4 year period, no? That is just a silly statement to make...athletes train to get better, that's kind of the whole point of their career. Who knows if Johnson couldn't have beaten Lewis on talent alone? We'll never know. It's a moot point. Lewis doped too. That's a fact. It's just that his squeaky clean, family friendly "All American boy" image protected him from the abuse and vilification that Johnson was subjected to. Carl Lewis is one of the single most arrogant athletes ever and his criticism of other athletes was purely because he was getting beaten. I am not defending Johnson's doping, but don't for a second think that Lewis never done exactly the same things.
@@alwhyte6533 100% correct!! Lewis had the weight of the US Olympic committee behind him. Johnson had no support from the Canadian Olympic committee. The US Olympic committee lied for, and sheltered that self righteous scumbag Lewis, while the Canadian Olympic committee threw Johnson right under the bus.
...and yet at the same time Lewis walks away with the gold (even after running in Linfords lane 3 times during that final and also taking illegal stuf) and Flo Joe also keeps her gold,...and if you think she wasn't on something then you're a flat earth believer, 2 yanks walk away with gold and undeservingly so.
Lewis' lab came back positive for ephedrine but the cough medicine argument apparently was good enough for the IOC
Flat
All facts considered, Ben Johnson was the fastest 100m runner of the 20th century. All facts considered.
He was competing against other drug users so his time should stand
I agree. I think he was unfairly singled out. Was Lewis and the might of the American athletic powerhouse behind it?? Who knows. It’s possible.
Ben made a bad move when he got caught the second time! Him should stay away from drugs.
Respect to Ben Johnson fastest runner ever
You mean fastest runner ever to have his Olympic Gold medal stripped & live in his mom's basement. 😂
Wolverine Pete no, just running. The 100 meters. At that time
HolyRollerTV that was done in the times of better technology in the training shoes track diet etc... 9,79 for that time was something else.
I mean it stood for about 20 years.
HolyRollerTV he was still faster than most human beings. The reason why he wasnt a world champion before drugs was because he was given the choice to compete with the top athletes in the world or stay natural in 1981 when he was 20 years old. And through years of hard work he reached the mountain top
HolyRollerTV he was fast and talented enough to be scouted by charles francis, one of the greatest sprinting coaches.
He was one of the younger ones but charlie saw the potential in him.
He had the talent and had the work ethic to work himself to the top.
Yeah, pawn, scapegoat, whatever you want to call him.
got out of bed in the middle of the night in the Netherlands because I had to see this. I was all for Johnson and all against Carl Lewis. I left a note for my mother that said: Ben! When I woke up a few hour later I put on the radio and heard that he got caught doped. I just felt so sad for him.
Check his runs in Scotland at the start of his career, he was barely running 10 and under, then within a year, boom, its easy to tell with cheating athletes, they suddenly start improving
FACTS. LIKE THE 2020 TOKYO 100M MENS CHAMPION FROM ITALY.
@@lexgraham2118 lololol, omg, you better be careful, people are funny in these YT comments, lololol
@@lexgraham2118 what about the silver medalist in that same race?
Perfect video title.
What a performance Ben!
Whats interesting about Ben to me is that from a biomechanical standpoint no-one - even to this day has ever been able to replicate Bens Jump-start. This, he was able to do even before he started taking steroids, so its not based on that - it just something technically he was able to do well that others could not do, and still cant do.
Johnson could not break 10.1 until he got dirty.they just helped him more than others
I think you make a very valid point Chuck, it would appear Johnson responded to his performing enhancing drugs better than most.
Bro Carl Lewis didn't even break ten seconds in 84... 10.10 was pretty fucking fast for that time.
@@abone2pick He did break 10 seconds in 84. He ran 9.99 seconds in the final.
Still the best race. Love Ben.
I watch this as a kid .. I was crushed .. I couldn’t believe Carl Lewis could lose
Carl Lewis didn't lose, Carl Lewis was Cheeted and Robed.
@@blessedthanksgiving457 Carl Lewis was doing the cheating and robbing
I'm amazed Lewis didn't get DQd too with his doping.
One should never make vanity loose his humanity. Cause all is vanity and vexation to the spirit.
I remember this, I’m 55, well” if everyone cheats, I guess his Wife is cheating on him right now 👍🏽😂😂 when he won the Gold he was Canadian 🇨🇦 when he got caught using drugs” he became Jamaican again 🇯🇲 😂😂😂
Carl Lewis has broken his silence on allegations that he was the beneficiary of a drugs cover-up, admitting he had tested positive for banned substances but claiming he was just one of "hundreds" of American athletes who were allowed to escape bans.
"There were hundreds of people getting off," he said. "Everyone was treated the same."
Lewis has now acknowledged that he failed three tests during the 1988 US Olympic trials, which under international rules at the time should have prevented him from competing in the Seoul games two months later.
Beet Ben may lost at Seoul but USA lost all their soul 💉🔬@ Olympics period. 😂🤣
@@Pad4724 Yeah right this is a joke of a post you just made. Zero proof
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Us Irish have had that for years.. The Brits weren't happy stealing our land they also steal our success stories... The are Irish again when they lose..
Just like Jose Canseco said: JUICED! Its a cat and mouse game. If you don't get caught then you win. If you're caught, there goes your integrity and your future.
That era was amazing. He busted out of the gates like a bat out of hell. Shame he was exploited.
They ALL did it, most of all Carl Lewis, so Ben was still the best. The biggest scandal is that Florence Griffith-Joyner's "records" still "stand". She was doped to the max. But she was running for the USA, where all the big sponsors of the IOC came from. So they CHOSE not to catch her. To me, Ben will always remain the best before the Bolt era. Ben was targeted because he was not running for the USA.
I was a top five ranked Canadian 100 meter sprinter at the same time as Johnson. We competed many times but I ran clean and he didn't. My coach at the time discussed whether to take steroids but I refused. I don't regret that decision but I still feel like I got cheated by Ben (and a few others on the team who were on steroids) even after 30+ years. Water past the bridge I guess.
As were the 20% of the 1988 Olympic athletes who made it to the Seoul Olympics without cheating. The effort to exonerate Ben Johnson revealed 80% of the male athletes at Seoul had the hormonal imbalances which are the tell tale for heavy drug cheats.
Only Usain Bolt and Michael Johnson have ever produced such a completely dominant performance in a men's Olympic sprint as seen from Ben Johnson. We may be waiting decades to see such brilliance again. I never thought I'd see Michael Johnson 200 time go though but Usain Bolt was that very rare athlete.
"Catch me if you can"-Ben
As ive gotten older, i used to dislike steroids in sports. Until it can be eradicated truly and entirely i support people who 'get caught'. Theyre all on it. The chinese are the best at it but they all do it. Look at carl lewis jaw with braces. Does anyone think that happens normally ten plus years after puberty?
China was very surprising in this last Olympics. It's depressing to think of how much they cheat and how much damage those athletes are doing to their bodies just to prop up the Chi-Coms.
As Johnson was stripped of his Olympic gold in 88 why wasn't he striped of the world title he won the previous year?
Dwain Chambers after 2003 world championships he was positive and he was striped of his European titles the year before.
He was stripped and his record of 9.83 was removed
He was the best 100 metre runner at that time
Of course he was he was the best at taking steroids and cheating
@@michaeldevaney5728 Many others also toke drugs, who were never checked.
Crossed by the greatest hypocrisy ever seen in sport. Carl Lewis, Linford Christie both Olympic gold medalists were caught in doping. The American with a physicist wide open by Anabilziantes (Florence Griffith-Joyner) was never caught. Ridiculous. For me Ben will be remembered for being an extremely strong runner with a strong start and after getting upright to increase his speed and be steady, something no sprinter in the world has ever done. Bolt starts poorly, but Bolt is on another level. Ben was 20 years ahead of his time.
Everybody don't cheat Ben
Jamaicans are winning gold in every Olympics these days...
lol the lady who tries to say steriods are ok and it wasn't a big deal is crazy!!
She was Ben’s training partner and part of Charlie’s sprint group, I think she’s being very honest, she raced during the height of the doping era and seen if you wanted to compete at the highest level you either took steroids or became an also ran. Sad but very true
Carl Lewis has broken his silence on allegations that he was the beneficiary of a drugs cover-up, admitting he had tested positive for banned substances but claiming he was just one of "hundreds" of American athletes who were allowed to escape bans.
"There were hundreds of people getting off," he said. "Everyone was treated the same."
Lewis has now acknowledged that he failed three tests during the 1988 US Olympic trials, which under international rules at the time should have prevented him from competing in the Seoul games two months later.
@@Pad4724 You are a freaking lier. Throughout Carl Lewis's career, he was never involved with any drugs. As you claimed, why wasn't he ever being disqualified?
@@markzipe7594 it was a cover up by the ustf Olympic committee. No you know how to read and comprehend what you read? By your comment its not in hell.
Total injustice. Ben is the greatest sprinter that ever lived. If he had not turned around to taunt Carl Lewis he would have run a 9.69 that day in Seoul. Intergalactic stuff.
Bigwigs in the Canadian Federal gov't knew all along, stayed silent while reaping publicity and personal advantages while Ben was gettting juiced by some eastern caribbean pseudo-physician. All those Ottawa and Toronto types ran away like roaches on that infamous Sept 27th day.
Ben Johnson was the poster boy for steroids in the olympics. They really punished him. They erased all his records, why didn't they do that to Carl Lewis, Flo Jo and others?
If Ben Johnson was from the USA or GDR or the USSR he would still be Olympic champion.
I still believe his issues were simply because he was out doing Carl Lewis almost every race for 3 years and Mr Track had to win despite it now being widely known he was also on medication.
Tell em you identify as a sprinter who uses steroids and you don’t appreciate their prejudice 😁. ( apply 2021 crazy to the argument)
Worked for Russia
to help the simpletons understand how technical superiority is applied here . all were on whatever . doesn’t matter . johnson = 46 steps christie = 43.5 steps lewis 43 . steps . more steps = more contact with the ground more accelerating. less time on ground floating is decelerating. please use logic . study things . save the world from your ignorance. go back to basics . and count .