World's Fastest Man - The Incredible Life of Ben Johnson

For two days in late September 1988, Canada’s Ben Johnson was the most celebrated athlete on the planet.
Winner of the 100-meter sprint at the Seoul Olympics in a world record 9.79 seconds, he’d just had time to say, “A gold medal—that’s something no one can take away from you,” before testing positive for a performance enhancing drug and giving back his medal.
Later admitting to steroid use, Johnson has lived in ignominy ever since, but there’s much more to his incredible story. The sprint he won in Seoul has since been called “the dirtiest race in history,” with six of the eight competitors linked to doping infractions. The steroid for which Johnson tested positive was not the steroid he believed he was using. His drug screening was riddled with irregularities and crucial testing evidence was withheld by Olympic officials in Seoul, circumstances that credible experts now say denied Johnson his right to due process and should have prevented his disqualification.
With unprecedented access to Johnson, sportswriter Mary Ormsby now tells his whole story for the first time: how a shy Jamaican kid descended from enslaved African plantation workers became a Canadian sprinting superstar; how a disgraced former athlete came to coach Diego Maradona and the son of a Libyan dictator while fighting tirelessly to determine exactly what happened to him on that fateful day in 1988.

About the author

A leading Canadian sportswriter and broadcaster, Mary Ormsby was a volleyball player at the Ohio State University where she is a member of its Sports Hall of Fame. She graduated with a degree in journalism and returned home to Toronto to write for the Toronto Sun and later, the Toronto Star. A five-time National Newspaper Award nominee, this is her first book.

Summary

For two days in late September 1988, Canada’s Ben Johnson was the most celebrated athlete on the planet.
Winner of the 100-meter sprint at the Seoul Olympics in a world record 9.79 seconds, he’d just had time to say, “A gold medal—that’s something no one can take away from you,” before testing positive for a performance enhancing drug and giving back his medal.
Later admitting to steroid use, Johnson has lived in ignominy ever since, but there’s much more to his incredible story. The sprint he won in Seoul has since been called “the dirtiest race in history,” with six of the eight competitors linked to doping infractions. The steroid for which Johnson tested positive was not the steroid he believed he was using. His drug screening was riddled with irregularities and crucial testing evidence was withheld by Olympic officials in Seoul, circumstances that credible experts now say denied Johnson his right to due process and should have prevented his disqualification.
With unprecedented access to Johnson, sportswriter Mary Ormsby now tells his whole story for the first time: how a shy Jamaican kid descended from enslaved African plantation workers became a Canadian sprinting superstar; how a disgraced former athlete came to coach Diego Maradona and the son of a Libyan dictator while fighting tirelessly to determine exactly what happened to him on that fateful day in 1988.

Foreword

Targeted Social Media Campaign:

Develop a targeted social media campaign across platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, focusing on sports enthusiasts, book lovers, and readers interested in true crime and investigative journalism.

Share engaging content such as quotes, excerpts, and behind-the-scenes insights from the book to generate buzz

Media Outreach and Press Releases:

Distribute press releases and media kits to relevant media outlets, sports journalists, and book reviewers covering topics related to sports, doping scandals, and investigative reporting.

Pitching feature stories, interviews, and op-eds and have secured and generated interest from ZOOMER magazine, Toronto Star, Corus, iHeart, Global News, iRun Magazine, The Guardian and Sports Illustrated.

Author Interviews and Podcast Appearances:

Arranging interviews and guest appearances for author Mary Ormsby on sports podcasts, podcasts, and radio shows.

Capitalize on Ormsby's expertise and firsthand experience.

Book Launch Event:

Hosting a book launch event in May in Toronto. Promoting the event through social media, newsletters, and targeted advertising.

Arrange book signings, author readings, and speaking engagements at local and national bookstores, sports venues, and literary events.

Email Marketing Campaign:

Build an email list of subscribers interested in sports, true crime, and investigative journalism, and send targeted email campaigns promoting the book.

Cross-Promotion with Sports Media Outlets:

Partner with sports media outlets, online forums, and blogs to promote the book through sponsored content, guest posts, and book reviews.

Leverage the credibility and reach of these outlets to reach sports fans and enthusiasts who may be interested in the book's subject matter.

Online Advertising Campaign:

Launch targeted online advertising campaigns on platforms like Google Ads, Facebook Ads, and sports websites to reach potential readers interested in sports history, true crime, and investigative journalism.

Engagement with Sports Communities:

Engage with online forums, discussion groups, and social media communities dedicated to sports, athletics, and Olympic history to promote the book.

Share excerpts, insights, and discussion prompts from the book to stimulate conversation and encourage participation from community members.

Educational Outreach and College Partnerships:

Partner with colleges, universities, and sports organizations to promote the book as a resource for sports history courses, journalism programs, and ethics seminars.

Product details

• Authors: Mary Ormsby
• Publisher: Ingram Publishers Services
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Release: 16.04.2024, delayed
• EAN: 9781990823732
• ISBN: 978-1-990823-73-2
• No. of pages: 308
• Illustrations: 16 page photo insert, colour & black and white
• Subjects: Guides > Sport > General, dictionaries, handbooks, yearbooks, history; SPORTS & RECREATION / Running & Jogging, SPORTS & RECREATION / Olympics & Paralympics, Biography: sport, Running & jogging, Olympic & Paralympic games