Seoul 1988: Ben Johnson, Carl Lewis And The Drama Of The Dirtiest Race in History - How It All Played Out

This episode explores the highly controversial 1988 Olympic men's 100m final in Seoul, where Carl Lewis and Ben Johnson faced off in one of the most notable rivalries in sports history. Lewis, the defending champion, and Johnson, the world record holder, were both accused of using performance-enhancing drugs, creating a backdrop of tension and rivalry. The discussion centers around the historical context of doping in athletics, particularly its rise during the 1980s with state-sponsored programs in the Eastern Bloc. Despite initial testing practices, many athletes found ways around the limitations, leading to rampant drug use. The narrative builds up to the 1988 Seoul Games, where Johnson emerged victorious, breaking the world record. However, he tested positive for steroids shortly after, leading to his disqualification and tarnishing the event's legacy. The episode elaborates on the psychological aspects of the race, the media portrayal of both athletes, and the lasting implications of doping scandals in the sport. It underscores how the race, while seen as a spectacular athletic achievement, was also the pinnacle of a doping crisis that continues to plague track and field.