Even When You Are the Loser

Even When You Are the Loser

1989 5 May 6 Even When You Are the Loser (351) Canadian runner Ben Johnson, the world l00-metres champion, won the gold medal in an international flat racing competition at Seoul. But the following day, he was not only stripped of the gold medal, but was also banned from competition for two years being found to have used steroids at the Seoul Olympics. For Ben Johnson this was the most severe shock of his life. He, however, did not waste his time in protesting against the “cruel judges”. Adopting the way of the brave, he made plans to start his preparations all over again.

The Jamaican-born sprinter was interviewed in his Toronto home in November 1988 an account of which has been published in the press. According to the newspaper reports of 29 November, 1988, the world 100-metre champion, Ben Johnson, weeping in front of television cameras, said he never knowingly took banned drugs, and dreams of making a comeback at the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona, Spain.

He said that his impressive muscular growth and his world records resulted from “13 years of dedication to track, from several hours a day of weight-lifting and exercise.” He looked deeply moved during the conversation. He burst into tears when talking of the difficult moment he faced after Seoul. The interviewer, Gianni Minoli, said the shooting was suspended for about five minutes because Johnson was unable to control his sobs. Ben Johnson said that he wants to make a comeback to the track and for this he has been training four hours a day, six days a week recently.

“My job is to run. I cannot think of sitting behind a desk. They have taken away my gold medal, not my speed. My only wish is to run again and I will do it.” Johnson vowed. What is taken away from you is only an isolated thing, and not your whole existence. You still possess your existence with all its potential intact. Make good of whatever is left to you and then, whenever you have to suffer any deprivation, you will be able to create a new chapter in the history of your career.