I remember watching this live in 1988, as Ben Johnson blew away Car Lewis in the stunning 100 meter final. I had bet a friend $20 on the race and was thrilled with the result.
Of course, Ben Johnson cheated with steroids, and he had to surrender his gold medal. Carl Lewis was cheated out of his rightful place on the podium, and I had to return the $20.
When I watch the video again, I’m struck by how Lewis sought out Johnson after the race to congratulate him and Johnson barely acknowledged his. Not only was he a cheater, but he was a classless cheater.
Follow the Scores Report editors on Twitter @clevelandteams and @bullzeyedotcom.
I think it was Ellen Degeneres that said, “Ben Johnson got busted for steroids? Really? Who would have guessed? Because he was only out-running cheetahs. Backwards.”