I was stripped of an Olympic gold medal but would’ve beaten Usain Bolt at 100m in my prime
When it comes to naming the greatest sprinter in history, it’s difficult to overlook Usain Bolt for the crown. Bolt is an eight-time Olympic gold medallist and 100m world record holder with 9.58 seconds, but his status as king has been questioned. Bolt is one of the greatest athletes of all timeGetty But Ben Johnson believes he would have beaten him in his primeGetty Ben Johnson was a Canadian sprinter who sealed his first triumph in the Olympics with 100m silver at the 1984 games in Los Angeles. In Seoul four years later, he won the gold medal with what was then a world record time of 9.79 seconds. Johnson beat his own record of 9.83 seconds from the previous year at the World Championship, but his success was short-lived. The International Olympic Committee stripped him of his gold medal after he tested positive for the anabolic steroid stanozolol. Carl Lewis, who finished second in Seoul, was awarded the win instead, with Johnson also losing his 1987 Worlds medal and record. Despite his failed drugs test, he previously backed his quality on the track against Bolt, who set the 100m world record in 2009. Speaking in an interview with the BBC in 2013, Johnson argued that he’s the best over a distance of 100 metres. “Well, he’s [Bolt] an all-around sprinter, 100, 200 metres,” Johnson said. “But, I think Ben Johnson is the best sprinter, 100 metre.” When asked if he could have beaten Bolt in his day, Johnson insisted: “Oh yeah. They don’t have the power I have.” Johnson lost his gold medal after failing a drugs testGetty Bolt was quick to dismiss the Canadian’s commentsGetty Bolt was asked about Johnson’s claim during a Diamond League press conference just days later and couldn’t help but dash it away. “I ran 9.58, so that’s kinda hard. Everybody says everything to get into the media, to stir up a little bit. But he could never beat me,” Bolt said. “As far as I’m concerned, that’s just him trying to get some attention, but I don’t see Ben Johnson beating me at any time.” Bolt may be known for his 100m world record, but he also holds the titles in 200m and 4x100m with 19.19 and 36.84 seconds respectively. These stunning achievements form part of the 38-year-old’s long list of accolades during a legendary career. Alongside his Olympic success, he won 11 World Championship gold medals across 100m, 200m and 4x100m. Bolt retired in after the 2017 Worlds, with the sprinting icon pulling up with a hamstring injury in a heartbreaking final race.
When it comes to naming the greatest sprinter in history, it’s difficult to overlook Usain Bolt for the crown.
Bolt is an eight-time Olympic gold medallist and 100m world record holder with 9.58 seconds, but his status as king has been questioned.
Ben Johnson was a Canadian sprinter who sealed his first triumph in the Olympics with 100m silver at the 1984 games in Los Angeles.
In Seoul four years later, he won the gold medal with what was then a world record time of 9.79 seconds.
Johnson beat his own record of 9.83 seconds from the previous year at the World Championship, but his success was short-lived.
The International Olympic Committee stripped him of his gold medal after he tested positive for the anabolic steroid stanozolol.
Carl Lewis, who finished second in Seoul, was awarded the win instead, with Johnson also losing his 1987 Worlds medal and record.
Despite his failed drugs test, he previously backed his quality on the track against Bolt, who set the 100m world record in 2009.
Speaking in an interview with the BBC in 2013, Johnson argued that he’s the best over a distance of 100 metres.
“Well, he’s [Bolt] an all-around sprinter, 100, 200 metres,” Johnson said.
“But, I think Ben Johnson is the best sprinter, 100 metre.”
When asked if he could have beaten Bolt in his day, Johnson insisted: “Oh yeah. They don’t have the power I have.”
Bolt was asked about Johnson’s claim during a Diamond League press conference just days later and couldn’t help but dash it away.
“I ran 9.58, so that’s kinda hard. Everybody says everything to get into the media, to stir up a little bit. But he could never beat me,” Bolt said.
“As far as I’m concerned, that’s just him trying to get some attention, but I don’t see Ben Johnson beating me at any time.”
Bolt may be known for his 100m world record, but he also holds the titles in 200m and 4x100m with 19.19 and 36.84 seconds respectively.
These stunning achievements form part of the 38-year-old’s long list of accolades during a legendary career.
Alongside his Olympic success, he won 11 World Championship gold medals across 100m, 200m and 4x100m.
Bolt retired in after the 2017 Worlds, with the sprinting icon pulling up with a hamstring injury in a heartbreaking final race.
