Ben Johnson not surprised by word of steroid use in baseball
Wednesday, December 8, 2004
(12-08) 17:18 PST TORONTO (AP) --
Former Canadian sprinter Ben Johnson isn't surprised some of baseball's biggest names have admitted to using steroids in grand jury testimony.
Media, fans and corporate pressure are to blame for the increased use of performance enhancing drugs, Johnson told radio station CJCL on Wednesday.
"I do know what was going on with Barry Bonds and all those great baseball players ... that's the American way," said Johnson, who was stripped of his gold medal in the 100 meters at the 1988 Seoul Olympics after testing positive for steroids.
"The American way wants to see those players do great, hit home runs, and the fans will pay the money to go and see them. It's a business."
Dozens of elite athletes testified before a grand jury investigating the Bay Area Laboratory Co-Operative, the lab at the center of the steroid scandal, last year. Among those who testified were Bonds, Yankees slugger Jason Giambi and Gary Sheffield, and track stars Marion Jones, Tim Montgomery and Kelli White.
Johnson said he didn't believe Bonds should be considered a cheater, despite accusations he has been taking illegal substances.
"I don't think he's cheating the system," Johnson said. "I think he's doing what he has to do to become the best home-run hitter of all time."
Johnson's also convinced many elite sprinters are using some form of performance enhancing drugs.
"Anybody that wins gold medals and sets records is not clean," Johnson said.
Asked if that statement included fellow Canadian and 1996 Olympic 100-meter gold medalist Donovan Bailey, Johnson backed off his comments.
"I'm not saying he did or he didn't, I'm just saying people at that level aren't clean."
Wednesday, December 8, 2004
(12-08) 17:18 PST TORONTO (AP) --
Former Canadian sprinter Ben Johnson isn't surprised some of baseball's biggest names have admitted to using steroids in grand jury testimony.
Media, fans and corporate pressure are to blame for the increased use of performance enhancing drugs, Johnson told radio station CJCL on Wednesday.
"I do know what was going on with Barry Bonds and all those great baseball players ... that's the American way," said Johnson, who was stripped of his gold medal in the 100 meters at the 1988 Seoul Olympics after testing positive for steroids.
"The American way wants to see those players do great, hit home runs, and the fans will pay the money to go and see them. It's a business."
Dozens of elite athletes testified before a grand jury investigating the Bay Area Laboratory Co-Operative, the lab at the center of the steroid scandal, last year. Among those who testified were Bonds, Yankees slugger Jason Giambi and Gary Sheffield, and track stars Marion Jones, Tim Montgomery and Kelli White.
Johnson said he didn't believe Bonds should be considered a cheater, despite accusations he has been taking illegal substances.
"I don't think he's cheating the system," Johnson said. "I think he's doing what he has to do to become the best home-run hitter of all time."
Johnson's also convinced many elite sprinters are using some form of performance enhancing drugs.
"Anybody that wins gold medals and sets records is not clean," Johnson said.
Asked if that statement included fellow Canadian and 1996 Olympic 100-meter gold medalist Donovan Bailey, Johnson backed off his comments.
"I'm not saying he did or he didn't, I'm just saying people at that level aren't clean."
