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Page 10- The Michigan Daily - Thursday, September 29, 1988
Adam's Rib
BY ADAM SCHRAGER
Johnson', fate not
golden ir
In the days of the ancient Greeks,
the gods spurned, scorned and
punished those mortals who felt they
were on equal par with those of
Olympus. Punishments, including
death and permanent scarring, were
given to those who felt they could
hallenge that elusive goal of
immortality.
Throughout the years, athletes
have strived for achievements worthy
of immortality. Sir Roger Bannister
running the first mile under four
minutes, Bob Beamon leaping 29'2"
in the long jump, and Canadian
sprinter Ben Johnson running a 9.79
world-record 100-meter race will
always be remembered.
But, Johnson will go down in
history as the Quasimodo of track
and field; someone that many people
scorn and someone that very few
people empathize with.
FOR JOHNSON is a runner
who is graced with inordinate speed.
When it was said that Superman was
faster than a speeding bullet, Johnson
was faster than an MX-missile. But
unfortunately, this missile exploded
in Johnson's face.
In what has been well-
documented, Johnson turned from
hero to Lex Luthor, arch-criminal
extraordinaire in a matter of days.
The anabolic steroids found in
Johnson are generally taken to
increase body weight, muscle size,
strength, and competitiveness.
After Johnson set the world record
in the 100-meter race, he, the other
medalists, as well as one other
random runner, were tested for drugs.
The test, which authorities say could
detect a teaspoon of sugar in an
Olympic-sized pool, found a
performance-enhanced substance in
Johnson's urine; thus stripping him
of his gold medal and sending his
nation of Canada into shock.
W H E N hockey star Wayne
Gretzky, Canada's greatest athlete,
was traded to Los Angeles, Canadians
felt betrayed. When Johnson, who
won the Canadians' only gold medal
took steroids, Canadians felt angry.
Canadian Sports Minister Jean
Charest called the incident, "a
national embarrassment." Canadian
swimmer Gary Vandermeulen said,
"I'm curious to know why he was
stupid enough to do that." Summing
up the feelings of most Canucks was
fencer Stephen Angers who said,
"Our national hero is not a hero
anymore."
Why a runner with such talent
would need drugs? Why a person that
epitomized the rags-to-riches dream
by becoming a star after dropping out
of aut'.
every,
stupid ,
drug
Olym
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yet the
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iortality
.anics school would risk
Why would he be so
ving that there are strict
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h is a word of simple
Only three letters and
.k an insinuation of pain,
and hurt. Ben Johnson
swer why.
4
THE EXPERTS of the Inter-
national Olympic Committee claim
that the steroids were in Johnson's
system for a matter of weeks, not
hours as he and his manager claim.
The idea of foul play seems about as
remote as the chance of the Canadian
team winning another gold medal.
By getting caught, Johnson will
lose out on approximately $10
million worth of endorsements. Also
by getting caught, Johnson will lose
out on the way he wanted to be
remembered; as a world-class, world-
record holding sprinter.
It is appropriate that Tracy
Chapman's song "Fast Car" contains
the lyrics, "I had a feeling that I
belong. I had a feeling that I could be
someone, be someone."
Ben Johnson will be someone
forever, but in a way he never wanted
to be.
SPORTS OF THE DAILY
Evans Scholars win IM meet
AssoCiated Press
Ben Johnson's ongoing Olympic controversy has stolen the headlines away from the
competition. This may be the last time Johnson will stand on the victory stand.
Tuesday, he was banned by the Canadian National Team for life.
from staff reports
As they have done for three of the
last four years, the Evans Scholars
won the Intramural Fraternity Track
and Field meet which was held on
September 19 and 26.
The Evans Scholars captured the
title with a total of 50 points, while
co-defending champion Sigma Alpha
Epsilon finished second with 39
points. Phi Gamma Delta, Sigma
Nu, and Tau Gamma Nu were the
third, fourth, and fifth place finishers,
respectively, in a field of 32 teams.
"We just happened to be blessed
with very gifted track and field
competitors," said Glenn Higgins,
coach of the Evans Scholars team.
"We really have no major strengths,
but we were able to score in all but
three events."
Leading the way for the Evans
Scholars was Mike Suran, who, with
a time of 8.93 seconds, won the 60-
meter hurdles for the sixth
consecutive year. Housemate Harold
Mitchell took the long jump title
with a leap of 20 feet, 7 inches.
John Loevey of Tau Gamma Nu
won both the 100-meter dash (11.9
seconds) and the 200-meter dash
(23.32 seconds). The 400-meter dash
was won in a time of 44.8 by Larry
Sage of Alpha Epsilon Pi.
Sigma Alpha Epsilon's Dave
Mouk won the 800-meter run in
2:07:84. SAE also captured the
1600-meter relay. John Lawniczak of
Chi Phi captured the 1600-meter title
with a time of 4:49 and the shot put
was won by Phi Gamma Delta's
Matt Elliott, with a toss of 14.92.
Deloach edges
Lewis for gold
SEOUL, South Korea (AP)-
When sprinter Joe DeLoach was 18,
he decided to attend the University of
Houston because Carl Lewis was
there.
"I'd met Carl at a meet at Rice,
and had gotten his autograph,'
DeLoach said. "He was my idol and
still is."
That doesn't mean he can't beat
him. DeLoach showed that friendship
only goes so far, when he swept past
Lewis with 10 meters left and won
the Olympic 200-meter dash
yesterday.
DeLoach crossed the finish line in
19.75 seconds, breaking Lewis'
Olympic record of 19.80.
DeLoach's victory disrupted
Lewis' chance to repeat his four gold-
medal performance of 1984. Lewis
already had won the 100-meter dash,
getting the gold when Ben Johnson
was disqualified for using steroids,
and won the long jump.
The reprieve in the 100 gave him
another chance for his second
consecutive gold medal sweep, with
the 200 and the 400-meter relay
remaining.
The biggest obstacle in Lewis'
path appeared to be DeLoach, his
friend and training partner, who had
beaten him in the 200 at the U.S.
trials in July.
THE SPORTING VIEWS
BY MIKE GILL
Thanks Canada. Now America is up in arms.
Eh? Eh.
In all the years of our semi-warm diplomatic
relations, nothing could have been so harsh. For this
hits right into the heart of many Americans - their
pocketbook.
Comprenez? Comprends.
You lose a national hero; we lose nickels, dimes,
quarters. Which hurts more below the belt?
The money.
Eh? Eh.
Comprenez? Comprends.
IT WAS so simple. Ben Johnson wins the gold,
Carl Lewis wins the silver in the 100 meter dash. Carl
Lewis is American. McDonald's is American.
American companies like it when American athletes
win. So Ronald McDonald awards the American public
when American athletes win. Those carrying a "When
the U.S. Olympic Team Wins, You Win" card saying
"Men's 100 meter dash" win a free regular fries, the
prize awarded for silver medals.
Eh? Eh.
Millions (well, maybe thousands) flocked to their
local Golden Arches demanding their guaranteed fries.
They were given - fries. Ketchup too - on the
house.
Then Ben Johnson was found to inject more than
supersize shakes into his body. Carl Lewis became the
gold medalist. Worthy of a Big Mac. And now
Johnson shakes
Golden Arches
American Calvin Smith, who originally finished
fourth, now becomes the bronze medalist. Worthy of a
medium Coke.
IN THE meantime, Ray Kroc, Mickey Dee's
founding father, rolls over in his grave.
Eh? Eh.
"So is there a Big Deal," I ask South University
Second Assistant Manager Bill Wilson.
'They get a Big Mac," he responds.
"But what about those who redeemed their coupons
before this decision was reached," I continue.
"They got a regular fries," he concludes.
"But the price differential ($1.60 to $0.90) is
enormous," I badger.
"Yea, we had this one guy come in. He told us he
had the coupon, used it, and got the fries. Now he asks
if we'll refund his coupon, let him pay for the fries,
and then asks for a free Big Mac."
"And," I relentlessly continue.
"HE GOT his free fries, so I said 'no."'
Comprenez? Comprends.
Now Americans can choose between a choice of a
Big Mac or a medium Coke, a gold or a bronze.
Another dilemma. Canadians have made life even
tougher on its friend south of the border.
More so than disqualifications, more so than riots,
more so than urine tests, this has become T H E
problem of the XXIV Olympiad. Big Mac instead of
fries. Medium coke or Big Mac.
Thanks Canada.
Eh? Eh.
MAINTAININGA
" i Ln
In competition, it takes more than skill
to come out ahead. Victory is a hard-
won product of intense concentration,
tenacity and determination. Ongoing
success is even more elusive-the
result of superior coaching and moti-
vating surroundings.
Because Watkins-Johnson introduces
all these elements into the workplace,
we're able to maintain an edge in an
industry that's known for competition.
Our microwave components and sys-
tems have always captured the highest
marks for defense, communications,
and commercial applications. Last
year alone, we introduced 362 new
to Watkins-Johnson. Right now, we're
looking for recent graduates with a
BS, MS, or PhD in one of the follow-
ing disciplines. Openings exist in our
Palo Alto, San Jose, Santa Barbara,
Scotts Valley, CA; and Gaithersburg
or Columbia, MD facilities.
Disciplines:
EE ME Physics Engineering
On-Campus Interview Dates:
Tuesday & Wednesday, October 11 & 12
I
i .