Seoul 1988: Ben Johnson, Carl Lewis And The Drama Of The Dirtiest Race in History

"I just don't think they're doing it without drugs"

In the scorching heat of Seoul during the 1988 Olympic Games, the world watched as two titans of track and field prepared to battle for gold in the men’s 100m final. Carl Lewis - the outspoken American faced off against Ben Johnson, the quiet Canadian powerhouse and world record holder. What followed wasn’t just the fastest race ever run - it was the most controversial in Olympic history.

In this episode of How It All Played Out, hosts Mark Pougatch and Paul Hayward unpack the dramatic story behind the 1988 men’s 100m final - a race that ended in scandal, forever changing athletics as we knew it.

From performance-enhancing drugs and doping cover-ups to the fierce international rivalry of the U.S.A vs Canada, systemic corruption, racism, and homophobia, this episode dives deep into the events that turned a moment of glory into one of the biggest Olympic scandals of all time.

Whether you're a history buff or discovering this story for the first time, this is essential listening about the dark side of sport.

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