Ben Johnson and Miss Jamaica USA 2009 Diane Johnson at the Schomburg.                          D. Palmer photos.

Twenty-two years ago, Ben Johnson was stripped of his coveted 100m gold medal and world record at the 1988 Olympics in Seoul, Korea, after testing positive for steroids. The Jamaica-born sprinter entered and won that race as a Canadian citizen but became solely a Jamaican in the global media a few hours after the scandal broke.

Quite a lot has happened in Johnson’s world since that fateful August run; his coach at that time, Charlie Francis, died this month and he has a book due out this fall, which Johnson says will provide new evidence that he was a victim of sabotage. In addition, he’s being looked at as a possible competitor in the European edition of the popular “Dancing with the Stars” TV competition next season.

Johnson, who prefers to stay out of the spotlight, was in New York last Thursday (May 27) and talked scantily about running as a Canadian while remaining Jamaican, the money that could be made during that time, what happened in Seoul, his clothing line, coaching and other activities, and an autobiography titled "Seoul to Soul" that promises to reveal new information about his case that came to light four years ago.

“I was keeping a low profile for many years. My coach just passed away and it’s time for me to come forward and speak upfront and say what’s going on,” said the 48-year-old Johnson, who wants the world to know that the IOC (International Olympic Committee) and the IAAF (International Association of Athletics Federations) did him wrong in convicting him, and will be judged one day.

He recalled that he earned some $100,000/month (including sponsorship money) as an athlete in his heyday but lost 80% of it when he was found guilty of taking a banned substance. Today, Johnson plans to donate a part of the proceeds from "Seoul to Soul" to benefit children in his native hometown of Falmouth, and is offering his services to help condition young athletes in Jamaica.

Other panelists were retired (summer) Olympians Raymond Stewart & Grace Jackson; (winter) Olympian Devon Harris, a member of Jamaica's original bobsled team; and Bruce James, Jamaican TV sports analysts and president of MVP Track Club, home of Olympic champions Shelly Ann-Fraser, Bridgette Foster-Hylton, as well as former world record holder Asafa Powell. The symposium discussed issues relating to the legacy of the Beijing Olympics and the 2009 World Championships, brand Jamaica and sports tourism.

Jackson, the current Manager of Student Services for Sports at the University of the West Indies (UWI), Jamaica, addressed several issues, including the history of Jamaican track and field; recent developments at the UWI in regards to sports; the synergy, collaboration and partnerships between the UWI and other institutions and organizations and sports tourism.

James focused on Jamaica’s recent success story and how many of his club members have been a part of it; the new approach to earning money by athletes living in Jamaica and working outside of the country; the economic “multiply effect” of this approach which has included Jamaican doctors, coaches, managers; businesses; and MVP’s commitment to their athletes securing an academic education and investing what they earn.

Harris, an author and motivational speaker, talked about how athletes used to represent Jamaica out of patriotism and pure love of track and the paradigm shift in regard to the economic benefits the sport now offers. He also discussed the hero status he enjoyed as a member of the bobsled team and the legacy of the team’s performance; the lack of financial support for their achievements; the lack of vision; the possibility of ferreting out other Usains and Asafas in Jamaica; and how he could help young athletes get an education while pursuing their passion. 

Stewart at the Schomburg.