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.

Synopsis from official website: From the producers of Bowling For Columbine and Fahrenheit 9/11 comes a new film that unflinchingly explores our win-at-all-cost culture through the lens of a personal journey. Blending comedy and pathos, Bigger, Stronger, Faster* is a collision of pop culture, animated sequences and first-person narrative, with a diverse cast including US Congressmen, professional athletes, medical experts and everyday gym rats.

At its heart, this is the story of director Christopher Bell and his two brothers, who grew up idolizing muscular giants like Hulk Hogan, Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger, and who went on to become members of the steroid-subculture in an effort to realize their American dream. When you discover that your heroes have all broken the rules, do you follow the rules, or do you follow your heroes?

Click here for a review and disccusion of “Bigger, Stronger, Faster*.” Also, be sure to check out the interview I did with Chris Bell, the director of “Bigger, Stronger, Faster*.”