Jean Charest, Canadian sports minister, ordered an...

Jean Charest, Canadian sports minister, ordered an inquiry into the steroid scandal that caused Ben Johnson to be stripped of an Olympic gold medal, saying investigators could recommend that the government lift its lifetime suspension against the sprinter.

The investigation, to be headed by Charles Dubin, associate chief justice of the Ontario Supreme Court, also could recommend that the government bring criminal charges against others found responsible for providing Johnson with the banned drug, Charest said.

The sports minister said investigators would have the authority to travel anywhere and call witnesses to testify under oath.