About Ben Johnson (Canadian sprinter)
Benjamin Sinclair Johnson, (born December 30, 1961) is a Canadian former sprinter. During the 1987–88 season he held the title of the world's fastest man, breaking both the 100 m and the 60 m indoor World Records. He won the 100 metres at the 1987 World Championships in Athletics, and again at the 1988 Summer Olympics, but was disqualified for doping and stripped of the gold medals. He was the first to beat the 9.9 and 9.8 seconds barrier. He won two bronze medals at the 1984 Summer Olympics, as well as gold medals at the 1985 World Indoor Championships, 1986 Goodwill Games and 1986 Commonwealth Games. He was trained by Charlie Francis. == Biography == === Career background === Benjamin Johnson was born in Falmouth, Jamaica, and emigrated to Canada in 1976. He grew up in the Lawrence Heights community of Toronto, before later residing in the suburb of Scarborough, Ontario. His early life was met with challenges regarding his Black immigrant status in a white-dominant society, which built up to lead him to beg his parents to emigrate back; however, he decided to stay. Johnson met coach Charlie Francis and joined the Scarborough Optimists track and field club, training at York University.
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