Track and Field

The Ben Johnson-Carl Lewis race scheduled for Monday is uncertain because of a contract dispute, according to Italian sources close to Johnson.

The 100-meter race at the BNP Grand Prix track meet in Villeneuve d’Asqc, near Lille, France, would be the first meeting between the rivals since the 1988 Olympic Games.

Meet organizers, along with French television, signed Lewis and Johnson to a contract worth a reported $500,000.

Since returning to outdoor competition after a two-year suspension for steroid use, Johnson has run four times at 100 meters. He was timed in 10.54, 10.69, 10.41 and 10.40 seconds. He has yet to win an outdoor race since returning.

With the Lewis confrontation rapidly losing its luster, the organizers are attempting to renegotiate the contract with a performance clause, according to the Italian sources. Johnson reportedly is reluctant to renegotiate and accept a pay cut. However, he has not yet threatened to pull out of the meet.