Former Canadian sprinter Ben Johnson is currently in Goa, with the Tumbar brothers who have been training under him at his sports academy in Canada and are now currently on trial with I-League champions Salgaocar sports club. Aldrid Da Costa caught up with Ben at the Marriot hotel, Goa. The following are excerpts from the interview:
Was there a moment in your youth or a role model who made you decide you want to be an athlete?
My role model when I was younger was Jamaican sprinter Don Quarrie who took part in five Olympics and won the 200m gold medal at the 1976 Montreal Olympics. I have always had a passion for running but to reach the top I believe you are born with it and you have to work hard to sustain it.
What used to run through your mind before a big race?
I used to psyche myself up with self-talk. For instance before the 1988 Seoul Olympics I said “the time has finally come to show the world who the fastest man on the planet is.” I was also encouraged by the belief my parents placed in my ability.
Have you been to any major athletics event as a spectator since you left the sport?
No! I have no interest anymore in the sport; I read about it in the newspaper and research the latest training methods but that’s about it. I am more interested in football now, I follow the FIFA world cup but only when it reaches the last eight and I always support the underdog as they are willing to sacrifice anything to make themselves true winners.
How do you think your two protégés will adapt to Indian football?
My boys are used to European style football, which is to play the ball around until you find an opening and then go for the goal, but In India I have seen the ball being kicked into the air and hope for success. My players will have to study this method and adapt to the tactics as football is a team game.
You had trained Argentine footballer Diego Maradona in the nineties. What was that like?
I was training Diego for three weeks in 1997. Speed training for football is different from athletics as you are continuously changing direction so you have to train your muscles to adapt. Diego had great character and we got on well. I have not spoken to him for three years, but I here he is currently managing in Dubai, so I may pop into see him later in the year just to say hello.
Merelene Ottey is still competing at fifty do you have any plans to return to racing?
I turn 50 this year on December 30th and plan to throw a big party either in Brazil or Australia but have no plans on returning to the track. Last year I did a commercial in Japan where I ran 11.5 seconds without training, but afterwards my groin and pelvis ached for weeks, which told me a lot. Merlene has not taken a break from competing in the last 25 years, so as long as she stays in shape there is no reason why she can’t carry on.
100m and 200m world record holder Usain Bolt has set his sights on the 400m record. Is it possible?
I think he can be successful at 400m by just training his speed endurance, although I believe he will have to select his events as he will not be able to win all at a single games. In sprinting it is about taking fewer strides to reach the finish line. The less time your feet stay on the ground the better it is. Usain is big and powerful and can apply greater pressure to the track which makes him successful.
Your great rival Carl Lewis has recently moved in to politics. Do you have any political ambitions?
I feel Carl is making a mistake. Politicians are all liars and only do things with self interest. I have no interest in politics, but you have to understand I am in the position I am because of politics, no one can avoid it.
Signing an autograph for a fan in the hotel lobby, he writes 100m 9.79 next to his name, which was his world record time and was subsequently wiped from the history books, but is clearly not forgotten by him. Ben has a self published book cleverly titled “Seoul to soul” coming out soon which he believes is an inspirational story which can help motivate people to deal with whatever life throws at them.
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