By Tom Loquet
Legendary sprinters and Olympic icons, Ben Johnson and Carl Lewis, were considered rock stars of the sport back in their heyday of the late seventies and eighties. Daniel Gordon’s documentary, 9.79, examines the rivalry between these two running giants, and how the increased use of illegal drugs in track and field led to them being at the centre of one of the biggest doping scandals in Olympics history.
Primarily focusing on the competition between Johnson and Lewis in the lead up to the 1988 Seoul Olympics, Gordon’s film charts the evolution of the sport, and how doping influenced the careers of both sportsmen, concluding with Johnson being stripped of his gold medal after he was found to be under the influence of performance enhancing drugs. Through interviews with top sprinters, officials, and various insiders, 9.79 uncovers the dark truth on the sheer level of drug use that was happening in the sport at the time. It also paints a fascinating picture of the high stakes atmosphere that surrounded professional track and field, and the lengths to which some athletes would go to win.
Giving weight to both sides of the story, Gordon presents an unbiased view of the events surrounding both athletes, and of the drug allegations that plagued the sport. Gordon’s film is an interesting account of two men whose careers changed the face of their sport, and as an in-depth look at the untold story of two sporting greats, 9.79 makes for compelling viewing.
