Findings Could Strip Johnson of ’87 Record

Lawyers for the world governing body of track and field are investigating whether Ben Johnson’s 100-meter world record can be annuled if it is confirmed he took illegal drugs before his record-setting race in 1987.

Arne Ljungqvist, chairman of the International Amateur Athletic Federation medical committee, said today, “We look stupid if we recognize the result” of an athlete if it is proved he has been on performance-enhancing drugs when he set the record.

Johnson set the record of 9.83 seconds two years ago at the World Outdoor Track and Field Championships at Rome. His time shaved .10 of a second off the previous mark, held by Calvin Smith of the United States.

Johnson ran 9.78 in the Seoul Olympics last year but was stripped of his gold medal and his best time when he was disqualified for illegal drug use.

At a Canadian government inquiry investigating the scandal, witnesses have said under oath that Johnson started using drugs long before the World Championships. But because he did not test positive at the meet, the record stands.

Ljungqvist said lawyers were checking IAAF rules to see whether other evidence than a positive urine sample might be used to overturn the result.

He did not elaborate what evidence could overrule the record but suggested that the Canadian inquiry would influence the process.