

Sandie Benitah, CP24.com





Mayor Rob Ford stepped out of his office today with two new friends – one a disgraced Olympic athlete and the other a disheveled actor from the "Trailer Park Boys."

Ben Johnson and Sam Tarasco were seen in the mayor’s office at around 4:30 p.m. Tuesday. Minutes later, the mayor stepped out of his office to announce the men were keen to help him with his election campaign.

Ford wasn’t specific on exactly how the men would help but suggested they would be making appearances during the campaign.

"I'm excited to have them on our campaign team and we're going to do a few events and I want to thank them for their support," he said before turning to each of the men. "I can't thank you enough guys."

"It's my pleasure," Tarasco said as he shook the mayor's hand.

When asked why they were supporting the mayor in his reelection bid, Tarasco would only say he’s “an Etobicoke boy, I have always supported Mayor Ford.”

Johnson did not answer the question.

Meanwhile, reporters were quick to question Ford on his relationship with Johnson. One reporter attempted to ask if Johnson’s own scandal involving steroid use during the 1988 Olympics would remind voters about the mayor’s own scandal with crack cocaine.

Ford interrupted the reporter and accused him of “getting personal.”

“I support Ben 100 per cent,” he repeated. "We've all made mistakes in life. I've supported him since day one."

"At the end of the day, that's what the election is about, getting votes and putting my record out in front and they know I have a proven track record," Ford said. "All the other nonsense is nonsense."