SIDELINES : ’84 Downhill Champ to Bow Out

Bill Johnson, the 1984 Olympic downhill champion whose career has been in decline ever since that magical season, plans to announce his retirement from the U.S. Ski Team this month.

Jon Franklin, Johnson’s friend and former agent, said Johnson told him Tuesday that he intends to announce his retirement at the U.S. Alpine Ski Championships in Crested Butte Feb. 16-23.

Contacted at his home in South Lake Tahoe, Calif., by the Rocky Mountain News, Johnson was reluctant to scoop his formal announcement, but he left little doubt about his intentions. “We’re trying to organize some kind of press conference (in Crested Butte) and announce it then,” Johnson said.

Johnson, the only American ever to win an Olympic downhill, failed to qualify for the U.S. World Cup squad this season.