TRYING to set up a re-run of 'the greatest race ever', disgraced sprinter Ben Johnson admits that athletics is dominated by greed, money, prestige and glory.
"It is a way of making money," said the Canadian, referring to the 1988 Olympic 100-metre final in Seoul, where he crossed the line in a world record 9.79 seconds but was stripped after a positive test for steroids.
"But what happened in 1988 was all about money. If you win a race you get lots of endorsements.
"It was the greatest race of all time and it would provide great entertainment for the people who wanted to see it again," said Johnson, who was banned for life after a second positive test in 1993.
He admitted that money was a big attraction for track athletes and that was why drug taking was rife.
"This is the way society is. This is the way life is. It is about greed, money, prestige and glory," the Canadian said.
REMATCH OF THE 1988 FINAL
While sponsors are trying to set up a rematch of the 1988 final, Linford Christie, who was handed the silver medal behind Carl Lewis after Johnson had been stripped of the title, has said he is not interested. It is not known whether Lewis has yet been invited.
In an interview with BBC Radio, Johnson said he supported another British sprinter, Dwain Chambers, who has tested positive for the designer steroid THG (tetrahydrogestrinone).
Chambers, who faces a two-year ban, has said he was ignorant of the food supplements which contained the illegal substances.
"I really support Dwain all the way," Johnson said. "I hope he can come back and run again and make something for himself.
"He shouldn't worry about what other people say. Some people might not like him because he has tested positive, but Dwain is only human. He should be allowed to run again at some point."
