Jamaican-born Canadian sprinter Ben Johnson made his identify in observe and subject by successful the 100m sprint on the 1988 Olympics in Seoul, which was dubbed the dirtiest race in historical past. Days after the race, Johnson’s urine pattern got here again optimistic for the steroid stanozolol, and he was stripped of his Olympic gold and issued a three-year ban. Although Johnson competed throughout a unclean time in observe and subject, the previous world champion thinks the game immediately is dirtier than it was 30 years in the past.
In a March 27 interview with Radio Jamaica, Johnson stated he believes not a lot has modified from his period to now, and that he’s not stunned to see so many doping violations in athletics. “If it weren’t for the extra highly effective nations being crushed at their very own sport, doping wouldn’t be an enormous difficulty,” stated Johnson.
Johnson, now 62, was banned for all times from athletics by the IAAF (now World Athletics) in 1993 after one other optimistic doping take a look at, this time for extra testosterone. Johnson believes nations like Jamaica are punching above their weight with its dash rivalry towards the U.S. “In my days, the Individuals didn’t like somebody from a small island beating them,” he stated. “The chance to do effectively and make a dwelling in observe and subject is difficult. Individuals blame others, however in addition they dope themselves.”
New proof suggests Ben Johnson’s 1988 Olympic lab report was tampered with
The 1988 Olympic 100m last was dubbed the dirtiest race ever, as six of the eight finalists had a optimistic doping take a look at sooner or later of their careers. The bronze medallist, American Calvin Smith, was the one sprinter among the many prime 5 who by no means had a optimistic take a look at.
Johnson went on to say that he doesn’t comply with observe and subject as a lot as he used to, however nonetheless sees the instances athletes are working on social media and sanctions posted by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU).
