Hate the Player: The Ben Johnson Story — Season 1
The man. The myth. The scape G. O. A. T.
About this season
Canadian sprinter Johnson's definitely-not-biased account of the doping controversy that rocked the 1988 Olympics when he tested positive for banned steroid use, going from hero to zero in 9.79 seconds in what some called "The Dirtiest Race in History". The series takes a revealing and satirical look at the events surrounding the legendary race and the scandal behind the scandal.
Episodes (6)
1. A Rival
Aired 26 March 2026 • 23 min
To be the best one has to beat the best; and when Ben Johnson starts racing in the early 1980s, all the best sprinters are juicing; so Ben did what he had to do and evened the playing field; don't hate the player, hate the game.
2. White Father
Aired 26 March 2026 • 23 min
Charlie Francis uses his failures as a sprinter for Team Canada to motivate a movement; he seeks out black athletes to take Canada to the top; with Charlie's knowhow and Ben's black-thleticism, they changed track forever.
3. The Man with the Plan, Astaphan
Aired 2 April 2026 • 23 min
With the science changing month to month, Charlie and Ben bring in Jamie Astaphan to focus on performance enhancement; Jamie takes the team to new heights, but isn't satisfied with how little credit he's getting.
4. The Race
Aired 9 April 2026 • 23 min
Ben has spent ten years building up to this ten seconds; Ben hits rock bottom when he has to watch Carl Lewis walk away with a prize.
5. Mama's Boy
Aired 16 April 2026 • 23 min
Traveling back to Ben's childhood in Jamaica to see the origins of his drive; his love for his mother, Gloria Johnson, is at the centre of all his decisions.
6. Ben v. Everybody
Aired 23 April 2026 • 23 min
Canada is hurt after Ben test's positive for steroids; Ben is punished for embarrassing them in front of the world; a whole new race takes place to see who hurts Ben the hardest.