4 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 WI propor yet the frustrai needs ti. iortality .anics school would risk Why would he be so ving that there are strict for athletes at the 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. 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