By Abhishek Roy

Canadian sprinter Ben Johnson, a double Olympic bronze medallist, says it is best for Indian athletes to get their blood tested every month by a certified doctor and keep the record to prove their innocence if they have taken any banned substance unknowingly.
Johnson, who was stripped of his 100 meters gold medal at the 1988 Seoul Olympics for testing positive, offered to help out the dope-tainted Indian athletes and he is even willing to train the country’s track stars.
He asked the eight suspended Indian athletes to learn from his life as it is a perfect example for them.
Johnson said it is difficult to find a clean athlete in today’s world and, worse, those on dope are getting away scot free.
Johnson, who tested positive for Stanozolol in Seoul, said Indian athletes should get their blood tested every month to have a clear idea of the substances in their blood.
“It is very important for all athletes to get their blood tested every month by a certified doctor and keep a record of it. So, if they take any substance unknowingly then they can show the records to prove their innocence. But I feel it is very difficult to find a clean athlete in the world,” Johnson told IANS from Panaji, Goa.
Johnson claimed that football great Diego Maradona and sprint king Usain Bolt followed his fitness programme that he developed after retirement.
“Over the years I have developed a programme which can help the players improve their physical fitness and mental aptitude. I’ve used them on many including Diego Maradona whom I trained for three weeks in 1997. Even Usain (Bolt) follows my programme,” he said.
Eight Indian athletes had recently tested positive for taking banned performance enhancing drugs. Quarter-milers Ashwini Akkunji, Mandeep Kaur, Sini Jose, Juana Murmu, Priyanka Pawar and Tiana Mary Thomas, shot-putter Sonia and men’s long-jumper Hari Krishnan Muralidharan have tested positive in dope test.
The doping scandal has led to sacking of Ukrainian coach Yuri Ogorodnik, who trained the six women athletes who tested positive for banned substances.
Johnson  is on a visit to Goa with his two Indian-origin students who appeared for trials Saturday with Indian League champions football club Salgaocars.
“I would like to coach Indian athletes and make them aware of the harmful effects of doping. It is a global problem and all sports are afflicted by it. I have gone through this and I can tell you it is a trap and very difficult to get out of it,” Johnson said.
“My life stands as an example for those athletes who have failed dope test.”
Johnson’s 1987 world record was rescinded by the International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF) after he admitted having used steroids during the Rome World Championships.
Johnson, who is a Jamaican by birth, said he was too young to know about drugs and was subjected to systematic doping.
“Role of a coach is important because he acts as the guide for the athletes, who come from poor back ground. It is for the national federations to educate the players and the coaches regularly,” he said.
He feels it would be tough for the eight top Indian athletes to make a comeback to the international circuit, though it is not impossible.
“Their chances of going to London Olympics next year are over and coming back for the Rio Games in 2016 will certainly be tough. But if they believe in themselves, it is not impossible,” he said.
The Canadian said athletes today don’t need performance enhancing steroids as advanced substances are available in the market.
“Today you don’t need to take steroids. There are several natural supplements which act as stimulants and also as masking agents. Today there are several top level athletes, who are on dope and are getting away scot free,” he said.
On Jamaican Usain Bolt’s chances of defending his Olympic gold in London, Johnson said: “It will be tough. No sprinter in the history of Olympics has defended his title and if he does then there is something wrong.”
Johnson’s, rival American Carl Lewis, however, is the only sprinter to defend his 100 metres gold by default. Lewis won the gold in 1988 Olympics after Johnson flunked the dope test.
Accompanying two young Canadian brothers of Indian origin to Goa to attend trials at Indian-League football champions Salgaocar last weekend, the athlete says he was always passionate about soccer.
The two youngsters, Guveer, 18, and Karamveer Tumbar, 17, have been training with Canada-based Johnson for the past four years to develop their stamina at Ontario’s Turner Fenton Secondary School.
The Tumbar siblings are strikers and Johnson says they can surprise Indian defenders with their bursting pace.
“The football coach at Turners wanted me to develop the boys’ stamina and I have been working with them since 2007. Both Gurveer and Karamveer are good sprinters and with their lightning speed they can put any defence in trouble,” the sprinter who won two bronze medals (100m, 4x100) from the Los Angeles Olympics, told IANS from Panaji.
Asked why his wards chose India, Johnson, said: “Their parents hail from Punjab and the boys want to represent India. It would be great if they can impress the coach at the trials. Eventually, their dream is to represent India.”
Johnson, a Jamaican by birth, emigrated to Canada in 1976 at the age of 15 to train under famous Canadian athletics coach Charlie Francis at York University.
Recalling his sprinting days, Johnson said: “I started as a footballer and was a striker at Toronto Links in 1990s when the teams mostly had Italians. Though I strengthened my basics in athletics I never lost my passion for soccer. My success as a sprinter is because of the fact that I was a very good athlete. I feel whatever sport one plays it is important to be a strong athlete.”
Johnson’s passion for soccer also saw him working as a trainer for Argentine legend Diego Maradona in 1997.
“It was great working with Diego. He is a great athlete and that is the main reason why he could score so many goals beating defenders, who were twice his size,” he said
The Tumbars also concurred with their coach as they feel their sprinting skills have helped them to become better footballers.
On training with Johnson, Guveer said: “Our football coach at Turner Fenton wanted us to develop stamina and Ben readily agreed. He has been of great help.”
“India is coming up in football and we want to play football here. We have a relative in Delhi who arranged for the trial at Salgaocar since it is the champion club. We hope to make our mark and play for India in the 2018 World Cup,” said Karamveer.
When pointed out that only Indian passport holders can represent India, Guveer said: “We have Indian parents and hope something works out for us in future.”
Salgaocar’s secretary general Raj Gomes said it is up to the club’s Moroccan coach Karim Bencherifa to take a call on the two youngsters.
“It is simple, the boys have to impress Bencherifa. It all depends on the coach,” he said.