“Usain Bolt…Would Be Accusations of Him Using PEDs”: Track and Field World in Debate as Allegations on Florence Griffith Joyner Resurface

Florence Griffith Joyner was always a force on the track. The sprinter still holds two World Records, even to this day. In 1988, Flo Jo set the world record for women’s 100m (10.49) and 200m (21.34). A world record that remains to be bested even after more than three decades.

Back in the late 80s, Joyner had transcended her prowess on the track and had become a global icon. However, her sudden retirement at the peak of her career in 1988 has always mystified many people. Recently, a tweet comparing Joyner and Usain Bolt’s performances has caused the stir in the track and field community, resulting in the formation of various conjectures and debate among fans and enthusiasts.

What does the tweet say about Florence Joyner and Usain Bolt?

A user took to Twitter and claimed, “If Usain Bolt had retire after Berlin 2009 there would be accusations of him using PEDs.” This suggests that if the legendary sprinter had retired after his jaw-dropping performance at the 2009 Berlin World Championships, accusations of performance-enhancing drug use would have loomed over him. Referring to Flo Jo’s sudden retirement after her epic 1988 Seoul Olympics. In fact, upon her arrival in Seoul, she was already suspected of doping. Fellow sprinters Ben Johnson and Brazilian Joaquim Cruz publicly accused Joyner.

The Brazilian who won a silver in Seoul commented, “Florence, in 1984, you could see an extremely feminine person, but today she looks more like a man than a woman.”

However, despite all the allegations that came her way, Flo Jo undertook and passed 11 tests related to performance enhancers. After she retired in 1988, many claimed that it was because of the introduction of mandatory random drug testing, a rule that was introduced in 1989. These allegations are age old and throughout her career, Flo Jo was subjected to accusations regarding PEDs. The resurfacing of these allegations has triggered a flurry of responses on Twitter, with fans divided over the hypothetical scenario presented.

Fans debate Flo Jo’s allegations

Track and field fans found themselves engrossed in thought-provoking conversations and tweeted their differences online. One user pointed towards the desire to start a family and wrote,

Another user highlighted her testing history and commented,

Read more: Why Was Florence Griffith Joyner’s Insane 10.54-second 100-Meter Run Not Counted as an Olympic Record?

Nevertheless, back in 1988, when Canadian athlete Ben Johnson stripped off his medal, in the wake of positive steroid stanozolol test, he became a subject of scrutiny across the globe. Now, drawing parallels between Johnson and Joyner, one user penned…

The ongoing discussion highlights the impact of Florence Joyner on the track world. A legacy that transcends mere records and statistics. Though the conjectures around her retirement are still running in gray area, the debates around the subject remain formidable.

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