ESPN Films 30 for 30: 9.79

1988 Seoul Olympics 100m: The few that got away
This 30 for 30: 9.79* is in the top 10 best of all times for the series. This video is a must watch for anyone who remembers the rivalry of Ben vs Carl Lewis, calls themselves a track fan, or wants to know what athletes will do to win. This movie will have the viewers asking many questions. Everyone who watches this movie will ask "Who is Andre Action Jackson?" This man and Carl's coach had a plan. Did the plan get carried out? You will look at Carl Lewis in a manner that you have NEVER looked at him before. What would Carl do to win? Watch the movie and I'm sure you won't be able to answer that question. The Seoul 1988 Olympic 100 should be renamed the Seoul 1988 Olympic 100: The few that got away. Several of the men in this race would later get caught for using enhancing drugs. When did they start using the drugs? 1985? 1986? or 1988?

A Fantastic Film
This is a super movie about PED and the 1988 100m race. Some great footage on Ben Johnson at home too!

Time Doesn't Heal All Wounds...
ESPN delves into the 1988 Summer Olympics and the much-publicized sprinter's duel between Ben Johnson and Carl Lewis in the 100m final. The film is an oral history of sorts, with interviews from all eight participants in the race, but often devolves into finger-pointing and contradiction. In some respects that's revealing in and of itself - clearly, nobody wants to take any blame for the sad state of affairs that led to such a high-profile blowup, when they're each partially responsible - but in others it's maddeningly frustrating. With their athletic days now long behind them, the only thing many of these former runners have to hold onto is their legacy, and they stomp all over that by slamming Johnson for his positive test, then sheepishly fessing up to their own PED suspensions near the end of the picture. As a historical panorama, this is entertaining - particularly in the build to the race itself - but when the central debate flares up and the runners each begin painting...

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