Gwen Torrence Interview - 1992 Olympic Games

[@RKRKRK78]

As best I can remember, Torrence said 2 of the 3 medalists were on drugs but then privately told Juliet Cuthbert, that she suspected Devers and Privalova but not her. Cuthbert and Torrence came up through college together and probably were at least semi-acquainted at that point. After the 200m, media kept asking Torrence about her post-100m comments and she went with her "I never said any names" but then Cuthbert, sitting right next to her, aired it all by repeating what Gwen told her. She was pissed at Gwen for implicating her publicly. After all this, Cuthbert hated Torrence, Devers didn't really like her, Privalova seemed to not care but Ottey was still ok with her. Then in 1995, her relationship with Ottey went south after the 200m fiasco and name calling but by 1996, she had sort of mended things with Gail. Despite all this, I loved Torrence's racing, especially over 200m and all this drama made the 90s so memorable and captivating and made me a fan!

[@milkybum6339]

All those women would be the first to point out you aren't even besties with your sprint rivals. You usually have mutual respect for one another but real friendship, very unlikely.

[@Dynamics416]

I wish the post-race press conferences/interviews from major championships in the 90s were available like current champs now. Would've loved to see these comments and interviews following races in 91, 92, 93 and 95.

[@smoothnubian]

I believe cuthbert must have been dirty. She got so upset and was doing too much. A hit dog will holler and the guilty always speak first.

[@andersonarmstrong2650]

A beautiful and spirited woman, and a great sprinter!

[@bodystorm]

Great clip! I’ve never seen the direct quotes aired before, only read them. In 1996 Torrence was asked again her comments in the build up to the US trials and softened her approach. She held an olive branch to Devers through the trials and they were quite civil/friendly afterwards. Gwen grew in those years after Barcelona, or at least knew what to say more cordially. That said, she provoked Ottey’s 1995 200 DQ comments saying no medalist could be happy winning that way. She was wrong. She tried to be friendlier towards Ottey (at least in the Atlanta 100m press conference) but Ottey had none of it, staring at the wall in defiance. Ottey suffers no fool gladly.

[@RKRKRK78]

Ottey was fine with Torrence until that 1995 DQ, with Torrence's comments and then Ottey implying Gwen cheated by running on the line. Gwen's Oscar-worthy performance after that was hilarious, I wish I could find that interview online where she talked about Ottey hurting her and how she had to face her son and answer his questions about cheating, etc. Funny enough that was Juliet's main problem with the accusations in 1992, having to convince her mother that she wasn't on drugs. Cuthbert hated Torrence with a passion, perhaps even before 92 as they were acquaintances yet rivals. Mary Onyali is another one who did not like Gwen at all.

[@bodystorm]

Pigdog Yes, I remember it all very well. In fact Merlene never really took to Torrence even from '91. You can tell this from the tone in her book (Merlene Ottey: unyielding spirit by Claire Forrester and Alvin Campbell). I've had since it was published in 1996. In '91 Torrence openly spoke of how she expected to beat Ottey, implying she was better with rounds and pressure. In the book she speaks very highly of Privalova and especially Marie Jose Perec (in the build up to the 200m in Stuttgart) but disregarded Torrence and bashed her running technique. Also, Torrence refused to turn up to the 200m press conference in Stuttgart and that didn't go down too well. In 1994, in Lausanne, Gwen blamed Merlene for a false start (excusing why Privalova beat her running 10.77) this was her narrative in her early season interviews - again that didn't sit easily with Merlene. But obviously after 1995 there was no love lost at all! It was such a fun era, very exciting!

[@RKRKRK78]

@@bodystorm That's fascinating. I never got a chance to read Merlene's book, always wanted to but it was never available. The Torrence comments to Ottey, I have seen and heard where she says she Merlene is unbeatable in a one-off race but running rounds is different and implying she is better at that than her. I never realized that may have bothered Ottey.

[@bodystorm]

Pigdog it’s a fascinating book. Merlene did seem to be aware of media comments made by other athletes especially surrounding Tokyo ‘91 - including Ashford and FloJo. When I was teenager in the 90’s, I wrote her a letter (via the IAAF) and she responded with a long hand written letter which I still have. A few years later I got a postcard. She is such a generous woman, fairly complex and never really understood by the media, in my opinion.

[@RKRKRK78]

@@bodystorm Wow that's awesome!

[@ericmuhammed2859]

To my favorite Track Star Happy Birthday 🎂🎉 Baby this day June 12, 2021'

[@RKRKRK78]

I remember watching this drama unfold but never saw this interview. It's weird how Gwen says that she first said 2 of the 3 medalists but then after seeing the result, changed it to 3 people in the race. Does that mean she hurled her first accusation moments after the race ended (but before she saw the results)? If so, that's wild!

[@paulouk83]

Privalova suspected because she's from ussr. I loved her but its fairly likely. Devers huge improvement trained by the same coach as flo jo that will have cast doubt in anyone mind. Flo Jo and devers transformed for their Olympic season

[@Haraka111]

What is your point... What are you trying to convey why would you even bring up Flo-Jo what she have to do with this.. oh yeah the same coach that coach Felix so what are you talkin about..

[@RKRKRK78]

It's difficult to say but Privalova could be the one exception. She excelled at multiple events from 60m to 400m and even did some hurdling and long jumping, not to mention she was a great speed skater too. I think she was just a rare talent!

[@paulouk83]

@@Haraka111 I think im being pretty literal with what I am trying to convey. Im very aware Bobby Kersee trains Allison Felix. Im aware he trained flo jo and gail. Valerie Brisco as well! Valerie did well to go from 23.1 to 21.8 and 48.8 🤔

[@paulouk83]

@@RKRKRK78 privalova was definitely a huge talent I was a big fan and loved her 2000 win. I doubt many were clean in this era

[@RKRKRK78]

@@paulouk83 I agree, though I really want to believe Privalova was clean, she definitely didn't look it but that's not always a tell-tale sign.

[@LogicallyMinded94]

Teflon Gwen!!! She deflected well until the end.

[@tylerstrong4370]

She knew.

[@Haraka111]

This is a weird interview.. a better question is what if Gwen Torrence would have won.. would she have said she suspected people to be on drugs... I do know later on in her career she apologized...

[@pmodel1]

She has always said that she doesn't regret what she said, but rather how it was worded. She spoke up the previous year when Krabbe won. I think it comes down to the fact that within the sport, athletes really do know who is doping and who isn't, but its kept quiet for obvious reasons

[@bodystorm]

pmodel1 you're right, she did speak up about Krabbe but only after the positive test. Despite suspecting and pointing a finger at krabbe, Torrence was surprisingly friendly with her after [winning the double] on both victory laps in Tokyo. Of course she didn't really expect to win in Tokyo - so perhaps it was only when she realised she would have had 2 gold medals and double the grandprix appearance money did she really care. And so she should!

[@RKRKRK78]

Even more weirder is that in later interviews, after her 200m, she started blaming a bad start and bad race on her 100m loss instead of "drugs"...she even went on TV to say "Gwen lost the 100m, because Gwen had a bad start"...she was doing major damage control but while that may have helped on the accusation front, it made her out to be even more of a sore loser, not giving credit to those who beat her but blaming it on a bad race. As it turns out, that was Gwen's fastest race of her career (taking wind into account) so it's not like she under-performed, but in her defense, evidence does point to her having the potential to have run faster and win this race. Her 200m races, 4x100 anchor and even semi-final race where she easily beat Ottey and Privalova into a massive headwind.

[@RKRKRK78]

@@bodystorm I would have loved to see 1991 Krabbe in this race, even if she was doped. It would have been even more epic!

[@Haraka111]

@@pmodel1 kzbin.info/www/bejne/nXOUq2OLd9l0o5I start 1 minute into the video.. when I first saw that I took that as she repenting and apologize but maybe you are right.. she did take back names that she said even in this interview... But she is quick to blame someone for drugs or throw somebody under the bus like she did think a guy last name was Hall he stepped on the line in the 400m and she threw him under the bus when she got disqualified in a 200 meters in the world championships that year is just not cool that's not a good look... Sore loser...world-class sprinter very beautiful woman that's for sure Olympic champion world champion.. but a sore loser

[@thebeatnumber]

What always baffled me about that time is how so many Americans got away with doping in the 1980s when the Russians, East Germans kept getting busted. I liked both Gwen Torrence and Gail Devers, but I always felt that Gwen carried a chip on her shoulders towards Gail simply because she never defeated Gail in any major track medal event like the Olympics or World Athletic Championships. I think the only time she ever managed to beat Gail was in the US Olympic qualifiers.

[@gazzelle4]

I think the Americans were more creative with dosages and masking agents. I've learned that unless you have facts and proof, it's best not to say anything at all.

[@andersonarmstrong2650]

For over two decades the East Europeans got away with murder, till better training techniques enabled African Diaspora athletes to restore the true state of play re performances and potential. The reality was Communist athletes not only were professionals, but were systematically doped giving them a huge advantage. Only West Germany ran a comparable doping program. Most African Diaspora athletes required scholarships to US universities to access facilities and trainers even part-time. Listening to Evelyn Ashford describe her focus and determination, puts into perspective the fact that for a decade shecwas the only athlete challenging a plethora of doped rivals. The Americans did not 'get away with doping' so much as sponsorship rules enabled more investment into athletes training programs and Western athletes could compete with Eastern professionalism on equal terms.

[@smoothnubian]

you have all the good videos

[@sinsin1697]

Man Evelyn Ashford is going to be jealous you over here making comments on Gwen Torrence.. lol lol

[@averywilliams8147]

You got any 81-86 ACU Wildcats t&f videos?

[@ericsabourin7661]

After Ben Johnson and the Dubin Inquiry in Canada where so many names came out, Track remains a very foggy site drugwise, Lance Armstrong apart, countries doing 1-2-3 in the 100 m and 200m, island of origin of Ben Johnson, ai'nt it puzzling?

[@smoothnubian]

thank you. That little island reminds me of east germany

[@1973stefanp]

Gwen was right....all 3 medalists were doped to the eyeballs. In fact, at least 6 of those women in the 100 final were doped....

[@smoothnubian]

thank you!

[@Hever73]

I do have a suspicion that Gwen was on juice !Lol!

[@smoothnubian]

right. after she won the 100m. The commentator was talking about her grave's disease. He said she takes 'synthetic hormones' to stay alive. Sounds like steroids to me. hmmmm

[@NevaUndaPressure]

Barcelona '92 should have been a celebration for Gwen, however she was always a sore loser and a disingenuous winner. This controversy will always be a stain on her legacy, still, Ms. Torrence is an Olympic Games legend.

[@michaelmooney7341]

So.many juiced up in 80's and 90's. Probably many more .

[@rickdavis2053]

She is so hot

[@Dynamics416]

At the end of the day, Gwen was a total diva and sore loser. Plain and simple. I'd use another word to describe her but I don't want to disrespect the woman. It was always something with her. Was the best chance to dethrone Ottey in '91 and instead Krabbe crossed the line 1st. Accusations about KK and in that case Gwen was right. '92 after a blazing semi had a sub par final and got beat in the 100 then the accusations returned. She won the 200 and 4x100 and not a peep was heard. '93 she was beaten again in the 100 and not much was said, the 200 she lost and she showed sour grapes not appearing at the press conference. '95 which was her best season and probably her peak, she won the 100 and 200. Lost the 200 via a DQ and Ottey took the chance to clap back for once. GT got her "revenge" and proved her fitness and shape with her anchor leg on the victorious 4x100. '96 Gwen was dealing with an "injury" lost the 100 and again came with a blazing anchor leg on the winning 4x100 team. I feel like though Gwen extended the olive branch to Gail Devers during the 96 Trials it really didn't get resolved and put to rest until she pulled Gail to do a 2nd victory lap following the 100 final. Just above I mentioned "Injury" because I remember that was another issue other sprinters were having with Gwen. It happened a few times where heading into a major meet or championships a lingering "injury" would be plaguing her but she's end up stepping up when it mattered. Some felt she was playing possum as they say. In my opinion, sadly, despite the huge accolades her diva attitude overshadowed them.

[@valentinemorales8100]

Regardless what u said she represented the United States with pride brought home gold medals how about u did u now let me asked u who is the sore loser was it gwen or u....

[@Dynamics416]

@@valentinemorales8100 *rolls eyes*

[@shakeyraware1563]

Oh shut tf up

[@MEGAjunglejuice]

She’s just jealous.

[@ronaldpowers2659]

Wat