Ben Johnson Says He’s at only 90% of Top Speed

Flanked by his agent-manager, sprinter Ben Johnson met with reporters Friday, exuding the self-confidence that has always been his trademark.

Johnson will begin his indoor season next Friday at Ottawa, Canada, and predicts success, although he says he’s only at 90% of his top speed and still has not recovered from tendinitis in both knees. Johnson, who lives in Toronto, was in town to promote his appearance at the Sunkist indoor track meet, to be held Feb. 15 at the Sports Arena.

The usually gregarious athlete appeared somewhat withdrawn at times, but he was not hesitant about discussing his return last year from a two-year drug suspension and its controversial aftermath.

Johnson was stripped of his Olympic gold medal in 1988 after testing positive for steroids at the Seoul Olympics. His world record of 9.79 seconds was also disallowed.

But in an interview at an airport hotel Friday morning before the news conference, Kameel Azan, leader of what he calls Johnson’s support team, frequently interrupted to “clarify” Johnson’s answers. Azan, a retired businessman, has recently taken on the role of Greek chorus, explaining the meaning of what Johnson says.

Azan smoothed out Johnson’s sometimes rough language and pointed out to a reporter what should be included in a story.

In something of an upset, Johnson failed to qualify for the Canadian team that competed at the World Championships in Tokyo last September. He said Friday that he didn’t care if he made the team or not, since he had already won the World Championships in Rome in 1987.

Azan modified that by adding: “What Ben means is that the World Championships didn’t fit into his plans.”

Asked at the news conference if after last season’s rocky comeback he is starting to enjoy competition again, Johnson replied that yes, he was.

Azan broke in to add: “If I may comment on that. What Ben is saying is that he’s really starting to have fun on the track.”

Azan did reveal the only news item of the day, that, after some initial resistance, Johnson has been working with a sports psychologist. Azan didn’t elaborate, but described the psychologist as “someone to aid (Johnson) in forgetting.”

Johnson’s performances last season were forgettable. After a modest indoor season, Johnson was injured June 16 while training in Italy. He skipped much of his training for the outdoor season and, he said, has not fully recovered.

Said Azan: “What Ben is saying is that he doesn’t want to dwell on his injury. He doesn’t want to make any excuses.”

Johnson will run the 55 meters at the Sunkist meet in a field that will include Andre Cason, the world indoor champion.