Ben Johnson (Canadian sprinter) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Ben Johnson

Johnson in 2017
Personal information
Full name	Benjamin Sinclair Johnson, Jr.
Born	(1961-12-30) December 30, 1961 (age 63) Falmouth, Trelawny Parish, Jamaica
Weight	75 kg (165 lb)
Sport
Country	Canada
Event(s)	60m, 100m, 200m
Achievements and titles
Personal best(s)	30 m: 4.40 (2006) 50 m: 5.69 (1984) 55 m: 6.05 (1986) 60 m: 6.50 (1986) 100 m: 9.95 (1986) 200 m: 20.41 (1985)
Medal record Men's athletics Representing  Canada Olympic Games Bronze 1984 Los Angeles 100 m Bronze 1984 Los Angeles 4x100 m relay Disqualified 1988 Seoul 100 m World Championships Disqualified 1987 Rome 100 m World Indoor Championships Gold 1985 Paris 60 m Disqualified 1987 Indianapolis 60 m Goodwill Games Gold 1986 Moscow 100 m Commonwealth Games Gold 1986 Edinburgh 100 m Gold 1986 Edinburgh 4x100 m relay Silver 1982 Brisbane 100 m Silver 1982 Brisbane 4x100 m relay Bronze 1986 Edinburgh 200 m Universiade Silver 1983 Edmonton 4x100 m relay Pacific Conference Games Gold 1981 Christchurch 4x100 m relay Pan American Junior Championships Bronze 1980 Sudbury 4x100 m relay Representing Americas World Cup Gold 1985 Canberra 100 m Silver 1985 Canberra 4x100 m relay

Benjamin Sinclair Johnson, born December 30, 1961, is a Canadian former sprinter. He was known as one of the fastest men in the world during 1987 and 1988. He even set new world records for the 100-meter and 60-meter indoor races.

Ben Johnson won the 100 meters at the 1987 World Championships. He also won at the 1988 Summer Olympics. However, he was later disqualified from these races because he used banned substances. This meant he lost his gold medals and world records.

He also earned two bronze medals at the 1984 Summer Olympics. He won gold medals at the 1985 World Indoor Championships, 1986 Goodwill Games, and 1986 Commonwealth Games. His coach was Charlie Francis.

Ben Johnson's Early Life and Career

Becoming a Sprinter

Benjamin Johnson was born in Falmouth, Jamaica. He moved to Canada in 1976 and lived in Scarborough, Ontario, near Toronto.

Johnson met coach Charlie Francis and joined a local track and field club. Francis was a Canadian 100-meter sprint champion himself. He also coached Canada's national sprint team for nine years.

First Big Wins

Johnson's first international success came in 1982. He won two silver medals at the 1982 Commonwealth Games in Australia. He placed second in the 100 meters. He also helped the Canadian 4 × 100 meters relay team win silver.

At the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, he won a bronze medal in the 100 meters. He also earned another bronze with the Canadian 4 × 100 meters relay team. By the end of 1984, Johnson was Canada's top sprinter.

Breaking Records

In 1985, Johnson finally beat his rival, Carl Lewis, after losing to him eight times. He also beat Lewis at the 1986 Goodwill Games, running the 100 meters in 9.95 seconds.

In 1986, he broke the world record for the 60 meters indoor race. He also won gold at the 1986 Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh. He won the 100 meters and led the Canadian 4x100 meters relay team to another gold. He also took home a bronze in the 200 meters.

In 1987, Johnson was recognized for his achievements. He was made a Member of the Order of Canada. He was also named Canada's top athlete, winning the Lou Marsh Trophy.

World Champion

At the 1987 World Championships in Athletics in Rome, Johnson was seen as the best 100-meter sprinter. He beat Carl Lewis and set a new world record of 9.83 seconds. This made him instantly famous around the world.

After this win, Johnson became a popular marketing star. He won more awards, including the Lou Marsh Trophy again. He was also named the Associated Press Athlete of the Year for 1987.

The 1988 Seoul Olympics

Olympic Race and Disqualification

On September 24, 1988, Ben Johnson won the 100 meters final at the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul. He broke his own world record, finishing in 9.79 seconds. He was the first Canadian sprinter since 1928 to win this Olympic event.

However, three days later, tests showed that Johnson had used a banned substance. He was disqualified and lost his gold medal and world record. He later admitted to using banned substances for his 1987 world record as well. This race is often called "the dirtiest race in history." This is because many of the runners in that final were later linked to using banned substances.

How Canadians Reacted

Canadians were very proud when Johnson won the gold medal. The Prime Minister, Brian Mulroney, even called to congratulate him. Newspapers used excited words like "Benfastic" to describe his win.

But two days later, Canadians saw Johnson's downfall. He lost his medal and record. Many people were shocked and disappointed. One Canadian Olympic swimmer even hung a banner that said "Hero to Zero in 9.79." Johnson was named "Canadian Newsmaker of the Year" for 1988.

Ben Johnson's Comeback Attempts

Trying to Return to Racing

After his ban ended in 1991, Johnson tried to make a comeback. He raced again at the Hamilton Indoor Games. Over 17,000 people came to watch him. He finished second in the 50 meters.

He did not qualify for the 1991 World Championships. But he made the Canadian Olympic team again for the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona. However, he stumbled at the start of his 100-meter semi-final race and did not reach the final.

Lifetime Ban

In 1993, Johnson won a 50-meter race in France. But he was again found to have used banned substances. Because of this, the IAAF (the world athletics body) banned him from competing for life.

A Canadian official called Johnson a "national disgrace." Johnson said this was the "most disgusting comment" he had ever heard. Later, in 1999, a ruling allowed him to appeal his ban. He even ran in a race alone against the clock. But he failed another drug test later that year.

Life After Running

Working with Athletes

In 1999, it was reported that Johnson was hired by Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi. He was to train Gaddafi's son, Al-Saadi, who wanted to play professional football. Al-Saadi later failed a drug test himself.

Johnson also briefly worked as a trainer for Argentine football player Diego Maradona in 1997.

Other Activities

In 2005, Johnson launched his own line of clothing and sports supplements. The motto for his clothing line was "Catch Me."

In 2006, Johnson appeared in TV ads for an energy drink called "Cheetah Power Surge." In one ad, he said, "I Cheetah all the time." In 2017, he appeared in an ad for an Australian betting company. This ad was later removed after many complaints.

Today, Ben Johnson lives in Markham, Ontario. He spends time with his daughter and granddaughter. He also continues to coach athletes, including hockey player P.K. Subban. In 2010, he wrote a book about his life called Seoul to Soul.

Rivalry with Carl Lewis

The races between Ben Johnson and Carl Lewis were very exciting. Fans all over the world loved watching them compete. They raced against each other 17 times. Lewis won the first eight races. Then Johnson won seven out of the next nine.

They were very different athletes. Johnson was from Canada, and Lewis was from the USA. Ben grew up without much money, while Carl's parents both went to college. Ben enjoyed partying with other athletes. Carl was more serious and did not party often.

Johnson was amazing in the first 60 meters of a race. But he sometimes struggled in the last 10 meters. Lewis was fastest at the end of the race. Lewis was known for his smooth style and speed endurance. Johnson was known for his impressive strength. He could lift 165 kg (364 pounds) while weighing only 72 kg (159 pounds).

Documentaries About Ben Johnson

Several documentaries have been made about Ben Johnson's story.

• In 2013, a CBC Radio documentary called Ben Johnson: A Hero Disgraced was released. It talked about the 25th anniversary of the Seoul Olympic race. It also mentioned that many athletes at the 1988 Olympics tested positive for banned substances but were not disqualified.
• In 2012, ESPN and the BBC made a documentary called 9.79*. This film looked closely at the doping scandal from the 1988 Summer Olympic 100-meter final.

See also

In Spanish: Ben Johnson (atleta) para niños

• List of doping cases in athletics
• Men's 100 metres world record progression