Ben Johnson Poem by Francis Duggan

Ben Johnson knew of the glory and Ben Johnson knew of the fame
And he also knew of ridicule and he also knew of shame
Once the World's fastest sprinter now known as a drugs cheat
But it cannot be taken from him that he was a great athlete.

To the heyday of Ben Johnson one must go back in time
The World's fastest human being when he was in his prime
Once the World's fastest athlete his was a celebrated name
And for his inglorious fall from grace he only has himself to blame.

Yet is there one amongst us who can claim to be a saint
And is there one amongst us who is truly free of taint?
The Jamaican born Canadian Ben Johnson a champion who from grace did fall
But as long as there are athletes people his name will recall.

Ben Johnson knew of glory and he now knows of disgrace
But he set a World record time in his greatest ever race
And in Seoul the Olympic gold medal he won on the running track
Due to a drug test that proved positive he was obliged to hand back.