THE SIDELINES : Virus May Keep Johnson From Trials

Brandy Johnson, the fourth-ranked woman gymnast in the world, is expected to miss the U.S. world team trials because of illness, the U.S. Gymnastics Federation announced.

Johnson, the U.S. women’s 1989 champion, developed a virus on Monday and is taking antibiotics. Her physician has recommended bed rest.

The world team trials, which begin Saturday at Tempe, Ariz., will help select the eight-person team that will represent the United States in the World Championships at Stuttgart, West Germany, next month.

Although she will miss the trials, Johnson may still make the U.S. team. Her score for the U.S. Championships, in which she finished first, will represent 100% of her score for the world team. For other gymnasts, the U.S. Championships represent 30% of their score. If Johnson’s score is in the top four after the world team trials, she will be placed on the World Championships team.