Interesting Facts about Ben Johnson (Sprinter)

We all agreed that Carl Lewis was superb in 4 Olympics and World championships. But Ben Johnson (b. 1961) was the greatest back in 1985 to 1988!. People remember Ben for his great physique perhaps, apart from 'Seoul 88'. He has some similarities with the current top sprinter Usain Bolt. Both sprinters were born in the same resident (Trelawny, Jamaica), but Ben emigrated to Canada when he was a teen (1976). Ben Johnson became the World champion in 1987 and Olympic champion in 1988. Here is a lists of the facts about Ben Johnson during his track career. You can also read interesting facts about Usain Bolt.

Ben Johnson get ready to rock the 100m at the 1988 Olympics

• Ben entered track an field at age of 14 and produced a World record 11 years later
• He was guided by an experienced and qualified coach since the beginning of career
• Most of Ben's training needs and expenses were sponsored by his coach
• He never had to work at an off-track job during his entire running career
• He was massaged by coach (1978-1980), by therapist (1981-1986), and by regeneration specialist (1986-1988)
• Ben's first international success was in 1982 Commonwealth Games when he won silver in the 100m
• He won the bronze medal at the 1984 Olympics with a time of 10.22s
• He had only one serious injury which occurred 2 months before the 1988 Olympics (third degree hamstring pull)
• During an injury period in 1988, he performed 2sets x 10reps x 160kg in Bench Press
• His Bench Press had improved from 3x136kg in 1986 to 3x155kg in 1987 to 2x185kg in 1988 (Consider 190kg at 1RM!!)
• Ben ran at a top speed of 12.1 metres per second or 44.4 kilometres per hour
• After breaking the WR in 1987, Ben earned around USD 480,000 a month in endorsements
• His unique style coming off the blocks remains 'uneasy' to be imitated or simulated by anyone else
• He was really cool and quiet when winning his races - Yes, if you think Tyson Gay is cool, Ben was so much humble and earthy
• He was very consistent at starts (reaction). Many people thought he was foul started in 1987 World champs in Rome, but his actual reaction was 0.129
• The difference of 100m's time between Ben Johnson & Carl Lewis in 1988 was greater (0.13) than Usain Bolt & Tyson Gay in 2009 (0.11)
• He has been a World champion, Olympic champion, Commonwealth champion, World cup champion, World Indoor champion, Goodwill Games champion.

Ben Johnson's lifetime achievements (just to mention a few):

World records at 100m (9.83s - 1987, 9.79s - 9.79s)
World records at 60m (6.41s - 1987, 6.44s - 1987, 6.44s - 1987, 6.50s - 1986)
Olympic champion at 100m (1988 - 9.79s)
World champion at 100m (1987 - 9.83s)
World champion at 60m (1985 & 1987 - 6.41s)
World cup champion at 100m (1985 - 10.00s)
Commonwealth champion at 100m (1986 - 10.07s)

Major sources:
Training for Speed (by Charlie Francis, Ben Johnson's coach)
Speed Trap (by Charlie Francis)

# All the facts mentioned are sort of straight facts, which is generally means 'all conditions' is applicable.

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Nine Sprinters Ran Sub-10 Seconds ! The Best and The Fastest Day in the History of Sprinting

The 2011 Prefontaine Classic in Eugene, Oregon (USA) ran yesterday saw six sprinters managed to dip under 10 seconds in the century dash. The race was won by Steve Mullings of Jamaica in 9.80s, an impressive improvement of his previous PB 9.89s set 2 weeks ago. Second place went to USA's Mike Rodgers who set a respected PB 9.85s, while Jamaica's Nesta Carter third in 9.92s.

Fourth & fifth positions were determined by the photo finish where USA's Darvis Patton who tied with Jamaica's Michael Frater at 9.94s was eventually given fourth place, but it's a bonus for Frater who lowered his PB from 9.97 to 9.94ss. A former Olympic and World champion, Justin Gatlin regained his top form to clock 9.97s (his fastest time since 2006) despite of finishing in sixth. The two last finishers, Richard Thompson (TRI) and Ivory William (USA) also ran fast with 10.01s and 10.02s respectively. The race was aided by tailwinds 1.3 m/s.

It's perhaps the best 100m race of all-time, or equaling the 1991 World Championship's record, where six sprinters crossed the finishing line under 10s (Carl Lewis 9.86s WR, Leroy Burrell 9.88s PB, Dennis Mitchell 9.91s PB, Linford Christie 9.92s PB, Frank Frederick 9.95s PB, and Raymond Stewart 9.96s PB).

Update: Also equaled the achievement of the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, where 6 sprinters clocked sub-10s (Usain Bolt 9.69s WR, Richard Thompson 9.89 PB, Walter Dix 9.91 PB, Churandy Martina 9.93 NR, Asafa Powell 9.95, and Michael Frater 9.97 PB).

Previous article (including results and videos) on 2011 Prefontaine Classic (IAAF Diamond League) here

A few hours earlier, top American sprinter Tyson Gay opens his 100m race of the 2011 season with a World-leading time 9.79s in a heat race of Sprint Series meet at the National Training Centre (NTS) in Clermont, Florida. In the race, two other sprinters Nickel Ashmeade of Jamaica and Kleston Bledman of Triniad and Tobago ran the sub-10s for the first time with 9.96s and 9.99s respectively. Travis Padgett of the USA came fourth in 10 flat. Tyson Gay didn't run in the final race but Kleston Bledman blazes to 9.93s (+1.0) to edge his PB again and winning the final race.

All together, 6 sprinters ran under 10s in Eugene, Oregon + 3 sprinters in Clermont, Florida. This makes (perhaps) JUNE 04 the best and the fastest day in the history of sprinting, with 9 sprinters clocking under 10 seconds!

Videos:

Tyson Gay's 9.79s World-leading 100m Video at Star Athletics Sprint Series,

Clermont, Florida, US

Men's 100m Prefontaine Classic Video, 6 Sprinters Ran Under 10 Seconds

Kleston Bledman's 9.93s Video, Two-Times Sub-10s and PBs in a Day

Men's 100m Final Video at the 1991 World Championship in Tokyo, Japan

6 Men Ran Under 10s

Olympic Games, Beijing 2008 - 6 Men Ran Under 10s.

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Prefontaine Classic 2011: Steve Mullings 100m 9.80s, Carmelita Jeters 100m 10.70s, David Oliver 110mh 12.94s, and Tyson Gay 100m 9.79s WL in Clermont

Jamaica's Steve Mullings blasts to a personal best time of 9.80s to win the men's 100m at the Nike Prefontaine Classic (IAAF Diamond League) in Eugene, Oregon US (June 04, 2011). It's the sixth time he recorded under 10s this year. The following is a detail of Mullings' performances to date (this year);

04.06.2011   9.80s +1.3    1         Eugene
21.05.2011   9.89s +2.0    1        Clermont
16.04.2011   9.90s +2.0    1r1     Starkville
21.05.2011   9.91s +2.7    1h2    Clermont
31.05.2011   9.97s -0.2    2rA     Ostrava

However Mullings' time was short to a World leading time 9.79s set by Tyson Gay (his teammate) at a small meet in Clermont only hours before. See amateur video at the bottom.

Steve Mullings 9.80s +1.3 (not World lead)

Meanwhile, USA's Jarmelita Jeters produced a stunning time 10.70s to destroy a strong women field and set the World leading time. Despite a slow reaction time 0.188, she was lucky as the race assisted by tailwinds of 2.0 m/s. Behind Jeters was Marshevet Myers of USA who set a PB of 10.86s. Jamaicans Kerron Stewart, Shelly-Ann Fraser and Sherone Simpson finished third, four and fifth in times of 10.87s, 10.95s and 11.00s respectively

Carmelita Jeters 10.70 +2.0

In the men's 110mh, David Oliver beats Liu Xiang to redeem a defeat in the Shanghai Diamond league last month and set a World lead time 12.94s. Liu who had ended Oliver's 20 winning steak in Shanghai clocked a season best time of 13.00s.

David Oliver 12.94s World lead

Most people thought that Mulling has lowered his World leading time 9.89s in the race in Eugene, but Tyson Gay set an explosive 9.79s a few hours earlier at a small meeting in Clermont, Florida US. Gay had a legal win of 1.1 m/s for the run.

Tyson Gay 9.79s in Clermont (World lead)

Check out FULL RESULTS at the 2011 Diamond League (Prefontaine Classic), Eugene, Oregon, USA

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High Performance Middle Distance Running : A Complete Training Guide For Athletes and Coaches

High Performance Middle-Distance Running is essential reading for people who wish to improve their performances in 800m, 1500m, 1 Mile, and 3000m Steeplechase. For those who interested in sprint events, see High Performances Sprinting.

This book aimed at both athletes involved in competitive middle-distance running and their coaches. Throughout the book the author adopts a practical coaching approach based on sound principles and on belief that nothing should be left to chance and that 'perfect preparation makes for perfect practice'. All of the following essential areas are covered:

• Time management, support systems, the review and evaluation of the season, planning, targets setting and race selection
• Technique, the enhancement of the essential qualities needed by athletes, training systems, conditioning training methods, and mobility exercises
• Key training sessions, levels of training intensity, progressions, schedules, and race strategies and tactics
• Rest, regeneration, injury prevention and much more.

CONTENTS OF THE BOOK

Get a copy of "complete training guide in middle distance training" from amazon

Chapter 1: THE PHILOSOPHY OF COACHING
# The Process of Training, The Laws of Overload, Specificity, Reversibility etc, Training Intensity, Training methods (Fartlek, Interval, Block Training, Five-pace system, The Oregon System, Long - Steady Distance etc).

Chapter 2: THE REQUIREMENTS FOR SUCCESS
# Speed, Strength, Endurance, Speed Endurance, Strength Endurance, Power, Event-Specific Endurance, Technique, Mobility, Support Systems, Tactics, Psychological, Time Management, Nutrition

Chapter 3: TRAINING METHODS AND EFFECTS
# Physiological Requirements, Training Methods

Chapter 4: CONDITIONING TRAINING
# Gross Training, Elastic Strength, Strength Endurance, Resistant Training

Chapter 5: INJURY PREVENTION
# Avoidance, Rest and Regeneration, Training VS Straining, Support System (Massage, Physio, Biomechanic etc)

Chapter 6: PLANNING AND PREPARATION
# Anatomical constraints, Strength and Weaknesses, Short-Term & Long-Term Aim, Periodization, Race Selection, Tapering, Competition Day etc.

Chapter 7: TACTICS
# Methods of Running a race, The Chosen Tactical Approach, The Opposition, The Race etc.

APPENDIX: TRAINING SCHEDULES
# For a High-performance Male, 800m Runner (see example)
# For a High-performance Female, 1,500m Runner
# For a High-performance  Female, Junior 800m
# For an International Male Steeplechaser


SAMPLE WORKOUT PLAN

The following schedule (extracted out of this book) is for specific preparation phase for a 24-year-old male 800m runner with a personal best of 1 min 45 sec.

DAY	A.M.	P.M.
Sunday	drills, strides and acceleration; sprints 6x150m, complete recovery (marathon > sprint pace	long run 20 - 25km
Monday	steady 12km	oregon circuit + 30 min recovery run
Tuesday	drills, strides + steady 12km	12km alternating pace run or 12km tempo run
Wednesday	recovery run 10km	steady 12km run
Thursday	plyometrics + hill training; 2 x (4 x 200m) jog back recovery / 4min between sets ; 30min recovery run	weight training sessions + 10km steady run
Friday	rest	rest + massage
Saturday	skill sprints (4 x 4 x 60m, walk back recovery + 3min between sets) + 6 x 1,200m on grass with 1min 30sec recovery	30min recovery run or 45min aerobic pool work

ABOUT THE AUTHOR 

David Sunderland is currently the UK Athletics National for Middle-Distance Running. He has coach numerous international athletes, national champions and medalists at major championships. In his coaching capacity he has attended the Olympic Games, the World Athletics Championships, the European Championships and the Commonwealth Games. For more than 43 years in athletics now, he passes his enormous experience to others through his extensive lecturing activities and through his writing.

To order this book click here

Recommended reading:

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Veronica Campbell 9.91s World Best 100 Yards & Personal Best 10.76s 100m ; Usain Bolt 9.91s 100m , Ostrava Golden Spike 2011

US-based sprinter, Veronica Campbell-Brown of Jamaica sets the 100 yards (91.44 m) World best with a time of 9.91s en route to win the women's 100 metres final at the IAAF World Athletics Challenge / Golden Spike in Ostrava (May 31, 2011).

The previous World best at 100 yards was held by Chi Cheng of Chinese Taipei (!) with 10.10s set in Portland, USA in 1970. Well in the next a few days there will be a post to discus about Chi Cheng!.

Campbell-Brown also improved on her 100 metres time, bettering 0.02s from her previous best time (10.78) set last year to 10.76s in which equaling Evelyn Ashford's time at the rank number eight at the all-time's 100m lists.

Women 100y & 100m Results 

Wind : +1.1 m/s

Pos	Athlete	Nat	Marks
1	Veronica Campbell-Brown	JAM	9.91s      10.76s
2	Debbie Ferguson-McKenzie	BAH	10.21s    11.09s
3	Schillonie Calvert	JAM	10.22s    11.13
4	Ruddy Zang Milama	GAB	10.30s    11.22
5	Barbara Pierre	USA	10.38s    11.31
6	LaShauntea Moore	USA	10.46s    11.38
7	Katerina Cechová	CZE	10.49s    11.40
	Stephanie Durst	USA	DQ  R-162.7

Women 100m Final Video

Ironically Usain bolt also timed 9.91s (same to Campbell's 100 yards) in the men's 100 metres and equalled his season best from the Diamond league meeting last week. So, is it a gap (8.56 metres) for the 100 metres between men and women of the same level?. The Lightning Bolt crossed the 100 yards line in 9.14s, subsequently failed to break the 100 yards World best 9.07s set by Asafa Powell at the same meet last year.

Men 100y & 100m Results

Wind : -0.2 m/s

Pos	Athlete	Nat	Marks
1	Usain Bolt	JAM	9.14s     9.91s
2	Steve Mullings	JAM	9.19s     9.97s
3	Daniel Bailey	ANT	9.29s     10.08s
4	Kim Collins	SKN	9.30s     10.09s
5	Lerone Clarke	JAM	9.37s     10.19s
6	Ivory Williams	USA	9.40s     10.21s
7	Craig Pickering	GBR	9.49s     10.31s
8	Jan Veleba	CZE	9.62s     10.47s

Men 100m Race 1 Video

FULL RESULTS

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