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Olympic Scandals: Athletes Who Faced Lifetime Bans

Ben Johnson


Sprint to Scandal
Ben Johnson, the Canadian sprinter who zoomed past the competition at the 1988 Seoul Olympics, had the world in awe with his record-breaking speed. However, it wasn’t long before the truth came sprinting out too—Johnson had been on a ‘Stanozolol diet.’ This potent steroid, more effective than a double espresso, boosted his muscle mass and strength, giving him an unfair advantage. The scandal was a big oops moment, stripping him of his gold medal and earning him a lifetime ban from the sport.

A Tarnished Legacy
Even faster than his Olympic sprint, Johnson’s career spiraled downhill post-scandal. His name, once synonymous with victory, became a cautionary tale of what not to do with one’s athletic prowess. The scandal highlighted the perils of performance-enhancing drugs and left Johnson’s legacy more tarnished than a forgotten trophy in the attic. It’s a classic tale of ‘speed kills’—just not in the way he expected!

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