Doctor Gave Canadian Sprinters Drink to Beat Drug Test, Williams Testifies

One of two Canadian sprinters to advance to the 100-meter finals in the Seoul Olympics said Tuesday that he and Ben Johnson were given a honey and vinegar mixture that was supposed to help them beat the post-race drug test.

But Desai Williams told the Canadian government’s inquiry into drug use by athletes that he and Johnson did not drink the mixture after the race as instructed by their physician, Jamie Astaphan.

Johnson, who won the race, subsequently was disqualified after testing positive for an anabolic steroid. Williams, who finished seventh, was not tested.

Contrary to testimony by his coach, Charlie Francis, Williams said he did not use banned substances, except for a brief period during 1987. Francis said Williams began using steroids in 1981 and resumed in 1987 and 1988.

Williams said he threw away a bottle of steroids given to him in 1981 by Francis’ doctor. But he admitted that he did not tell the coach of his decision not to use the drugs.

“I knew Charlie’s outlook on steroids,” he said. “I had to do things his way or I took the highway.”