Introduction to the Biography of Ben Johnson(Canadian Sprinter Who was the World Fastest Man During the1987-88 Season)
Benjamin Sinclair “Ben” Johnson is a Jamaican-born Canadian former sprinter who set consecutive a hundred meters world information at the 1987 World Championships in Athletics andthe1988 Summer Olympics. But his glory did no longer final lengthy and he fell to shame quickly after prevailing the Olympic gold in the one hundred meters race after he failed a doping take a look at and used to be stripped of his Olympic title. The one hundred meters last at the1988 Summer Olympics would go down in records as one of the most controversial activities at the Olympics as many of the contributors have been located to have doped for the duration of the race. Ben Johnson, who immigrated to Canada from Jamaica as a 14-year-old hooked up himself as a promising sprinter below the education of train Charlie Francis, a dash champion himself who was once additionally Canada’s country wide dash instruct for 9 years. The younger man tasted his first global success when he gained two silver medals at the 1982 Commonwealth Games and proceeded to win the bronze medal in the one hundred meters last at the 1984Summer Olympics. His ambitions have been set excessive for the1988 Summer Olympics and he gained the hundred meters ultimate beating his American rival Carl Lewis, turning into internationally recognized tune superstar. After simply three days he fell to shame after it was once published that he had doped in the course of the large event.
Quick Facts about Ben Johnson
- Canadian Celebrities Born In December
Also Known As: Benjamin Sinclair Johnson - Age: 61 Years, 61 Year Old Males
- Born Country: Jamaica
- Athletes Black Athletes
- Height: 5’10″(178 cm), 5’10″Miles
- Ancestry: Jamaican Canadian
- Grouping Of People: Black Athletes
U.S. State: Oklahoma, African-American From Oklahoma
Childhood and Youth
- Ben Johnson was born on December 30, 1961 in Falmouth, Trelawny Parish, Jamaica. He immigrated to Canada in 1976 at the age of 14.
- A strong, athletic boy, he joined the Scarborough Optimists and is a member of Music and Discipline. Training was led by respected instructor Charlie Francis, himself a former 100m champion and competitor at the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich.
- He focused on the 100-meter sprint and improved his time from11.seconds in 1978 to 10.62 seconds in 1980.
Career
- Ben Johnson made his international debut in 1982 when he won two silver medals at the Commonwealth Games in Brisbane, Australia. He was also a member of the Canadian100 meter relay, which finished second to Nigeria. The following year was unsuccessful for him when he was eliminated at the1983World Cup in Helsinki in the semifinals. He reached the100 meter final at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, where he won the bronze medal behind Lewis and Sam Gaddy’s Carl .
- He won a bronze medal as part the Canada 4x100m relay team, which also included Tony Sharpe, Desai Williams and Sterling Hinds. Johnson established himself as Canada’s top sprinter by the end of the1984 season and suffered a losing streak in 1985 before finally defeating American rival Carl Lewis. The following year was better and Johnson broke Houston McTear”s 60m world record from seven years ago with a time of 6.50 seconds.
- He also won the 100m and a bronze medal in the 200m at the 1986 Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh.
- 1987, Ben Jonson had the reputation of being the best 100msprinter in the world. At that year's World Championships in Rome, he set a new world record of 9.83 seconds, beating Lewis again, in that timing he effectively beat Calvin Smiths previous record by his 0.1 seconds. I broke it completely. After this win, he was hotly courted by advertisers, earning him around $480,000 a month in endorsements.
- The rivalry between Johnson and Lewis escalated by the 1988 Olympics. However, Johnson contracted a hamstring tendon in February of this year, which lasted until May.
- On September 24, 1988, the final of the men's 100 meters race took place, the most exciting event of the Summer Olympics. The main focus was on Johnson and Lewis, and after a very exciting race Johnson won the gold medal with his world record of 9.79 seconds. With this win, he became the first Canadian sprinter to win his 100m final at the Olympics since Percy his Williams in 1928. After this victory, Ben Jonson rose to international sporting superstar status.
Fall from Grace
- Soon after his victory, the Olympic Doping Control Center determined that Johnson’s blood and urine samples contained
stanozolol – a performance-enhancing drug – and he was disqualified. stripped of records. - His involvement in a doping scandal shook the sports world. He was once a beloved star, but now he's a fallen hero with a two-
year suspension. - He attempted his comeback in 1991, competing against Hamilton in his indoor game and in the 50m he finished second
with 5.77 seconds. However, in 1993, he was found guilty of doping again and was banned. - Following his ban he turned to coaching and has also been featured on some advertisements.
Awards and Achievements
- In 1985, Ben Johnson won the Norton Crow Award for Male Athlete of the Year.
- He won his 1986 Loumarsh Trophy as Canada’s top athlete.
- He was awarded the Order of Canada in 1987. That same year, he was also named the Associated Press Player of
the Year.
Personal Life and Legacy
- He lived with his mother for several years until her death in 2004, after which he lived with his sister. He also has a daughter
and a granddaughter.