Track and field lore: Ben Johnson, the well-known sprinter from the late 1980s, represented which country at the Olympics?

Introduction / Context:
High-profile Olympic sprinters often feature in sports GK. Ben Johnson rose to global fame in the late 1980s, and questions commonly test whether you can correctly identify his nationality amid other prominent sprinting nations.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Athlete: Ben Johnson (men’s 100 m).
• Period: Late 1980s.
• Ask: Country represented.

Concept / Approach:
Johnson competed for Canada, achieving world-leading times and Olympic recognition before his results were famously annulled due to doping violations. Despite controversies, the nationality association remains a standard factoid: Canada.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:
Olympic databases and athletics record books list Ben Johnson as Canadian, with national representation and records attributed to Canada before disqualifications.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• South Africa / Germany / Cuba: Produced elite athletes, but these are not Johnson’s nationality.

Common Pitfalls:
Conflating Canadian athletes with American rivals, or assuming nationality based on training base rather than official representation.

Final Answer:
Canada