(born 1961), Canadian track star, born in Falmouth, Jamaica; to Canada 1976; performed indifferently in track until 1977–78 spurt in height and weight; took up weight lifting to develop supermuscular upper torso; unusual strength and unorthodox stance of starting races with elbows bent were considered keys to his ability to break out of the block with extraordinary acceleration; by 1985 developed strong finish as well and began winning races (his rocket starts sometimes protested, but judged legal); on Aug. 30, 1987, ran 100 meters in 9.83 seconds; broke his own world record with 9.79-second race in 1988 Olympic Games, but stripped of gold medal after testing positive for steroids; two-year ban from world competition (lifetime ban by Canada) as well as loss of big advertising contracts; in 1989 drug probe admitted to regular injections of illegal drugs through 1980s