History Daily — "Ben Johnson’s Olympic Gold"

Host: Lindsey Graham
Date: September 24, 2025
Episode Theme: The meteoric rise and fall of Canadian sprinter Ben Johnson, his victory in the 100m final at the 1988 Seoul Olympics, and the ensuing doping scandal that rocked the world of athletics.

Episode Overview

This episode revisits one of the most notorious moments in Olympic history: Ben Johnson’s record-breaking win in the 100-meter dash at the 1988 Seoul Olympics—and the shock when that gold medal was stripped just days later due to a failed drug test. Lindsey Graham masterfully explores the culture of doping in track and field, the intense rivalry between Ben Johnson and Carl Lewis, and the far-reaching consequences of the scandal for the future of competitive sports.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The 1988 Olympic Showdown (00:00–04:25, 11:47–17:18)

• The Build-Up: Carl Lewis, the defending 100m Olympic champion from the 1984 Los Angeles Games, faces off against Canadian world record holder Ben Johnson in Seoul.
• Race Highlights:
  • Johnson blasts out of the blocks, quickly taking the lead. With 10 meters left, he lifts his arm in victory, crossing the line at a world-record 9.79 seconds.
  • Lewis finishes second, visibly disappointed as he receives the silver medal.
  • Memorable moment: “With 10 meters to go, Ben lifts his right arm and points to the sky, signaling that he is number one.” — Lindsey Graham (00:55)
• Aftermath: Both stand on the podium—the press hails Johnson as the “fastest man alive.”

2. The Rise of Doping in Elite Sports (04:47–10:57)

• Historical Context:
  • Dr. Robert Voy’s lab work highlights the proliferation of doping at the 1984 LA Olympics and reveals how athletes evade detection through undetectable substances like human growth hormone or by flushing out drugs before tests.
  • Endorsement deals and national prestige put immense pressure on athletes to seek “an edge” by any means.
• Ineffective Enforcement:
  • Positive tests are rarely followed by meaningful consequences; authorities often “hide the issue under the rug.”
  • Quote: “[Dr. Voy] views every positive test with disappointment. Still, he is surprised by how few other athletes have tested positive. He knows drug use in sport is rife, but somehow, athletes that Robert is certain have taken performance enhancing drugs are providing clean samples.” (06:53)
• Mounting Rumors: Despite hearsay and mounting skepticism, the system remains broken until a global media spotlight exposes the problem.

3. Ben Johnson’s Meteoric Rise (11:47–16:52)

• Star Trajectory:
  • Johnson’s earlier bronze medal in 1984 evolves into world dominance by 1987 under coach Charlie Francis—his speed and physique provoke suspicion.
  • Carl Lewis, increasingly frustrated, publicly implies Ben’s rise is steroid-fueled.
  • Calvin Smith (previous world record holder) agrees, lamenting an unfair playing field for “clean” athletes.
  • Quote: “Carl has spotted a yellow tint to Ben’s eyes, an indicator that he's been taking steroids.” — Lindsey Graham (13:53)
• Ironies and Setbacks:
  • Lewis himself tests positive for stimulants in 1988; his defense successfully blames over-the-counter medication, allowing him to compete in Seoul.
  • On a personal note, the death of Karl’s father prompts a poignant promise to win another Olympic gold in his memory.
• Tense Rivalry:
  • After both races (Rome 1987, Seoul 1988), Lewis’s attempts at sportsmanship are rebuffed by Johnson; animosity is visible and public.

4. The Scandal Unfolds (17:18–21:09)

• The Call (September 27, 1988):
  • Lewis learns he’s now the 100m Olympic champion after Johnson fails a drug test.
  • Johnson’s defense: conspiracy and tampered drinks, but eventually, after pressure and a teammate’s whistleblowing, he admits to doping.
  • Quote (Lewis’s reaction): “Karl is speechless… For the last three days, he’s replayed the 100 meters final over and over in his head. He doesn’t think there’s anything he could have done differently. But now Karl has been handed the victory.” — Lindsey Graham (17:30)
• Aftermath:
  • Johnson is stripped of Olympic and World Championship medals, his records erased.
  • He claims to be a scapegoat in a culture of widespread cheating—of the top eight in Seoul’s final, six face doping scandals, including Lewis.
  • Notable moment: Public revelation years later that Carl Lewis failed a drug test prior to Seoul, but was cleared to compete. Johnson calls on the IOC to strip Lewis, but is denied.
• Legacy:
  • The “dirtiest race in history” leads to stricter anti-doping protocols—offseason testing, tougher enforcement—though controversy lingers.

Notable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

• “With 10 meters to go, Ben lifts his right arm and points to the sky, signaling that he is number one.” — Lindsey Graham (00:55)
• “[Dr. Voy] is surprised by how few other athletes have tested positive. He knows drug use in sport is rife, but somehow, athletes that Robert is certain have taken performance enhancing drugs are providing clean samples.” — Lindsey Graham (06:53)
• “Carl has spotted a yellow tint to Ben’s eyes, an indicator that he's been taking steroids.” — Lindsey Graham (13:53)
• “Karl is speechless… For the last three days, he’s replayed the 100 meters final over and over in his head. He doesn’t think there’s anything he could have done differently. But now Karl has been handed the victory.” — Lindsey Graham (17:30)
• “In total, six of the eight athletes who ran in the 100 meter final at the Seoul Olympics will later be embroiled in doping scandals and Carl Lewis will be among them.” — Lindsey Graham (19:00)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:00 – 04:25: Setting the stage—Seoul, 1988, the Olympic final.
• 04:47 – 10:57: History of doping and the challenge of effective enforcement.
• 11:47 – 17:18: Background: Johnson’s journey, rivalry with Lewis, suspicions of foul play.
• 17:18 – 21:09: The fallout: Johnson’s disgrace, Lewis’s elevation, and legacy of “the dirtiest race.”

Summary & Legacy

• The 1988 Seoul 100m final is remembered as a microcosm of sports’ struggle with doping: spectacular talent undermined by widespread cheating.
• The relentless drive for glory, profits, and national pride pushed athletes and their support teams to exploit science and loopholes.
• The episode closes by noting that, while anti-doping efforts have advanced, the events of September 24, 1988, are a stark warning that athletic greatness is fragile and fair play remains ever at risk.

For listeners interested in a concise yet detailed account of Ben Johnson’s brief—and infamous—grasp of Olympic gold, this episode offers a gripping narrative, rich with historical context and cautionary insights for the world of athletics.