THE TIMES POLL : Fans Support Johnson’s Barcelona Bid

Magic Johnson’s bid to play on the U.S. Olympic basketball team is widely supported, a recent Times Poll found.

Almost two-thirds of those responding to a nationwide telephone survey said they approved of Johnson’s participation in the Summer Olympics at Barcelona, although he is HIV positive.

The Times Poll, supervised by John Brennan, interviewed 1,776 adults from Jan. 31 to Feb. 3. The poll has a margin of error of 3%.

Johnson, the Laker star who retired Nov. 7 after announcing that he was HIV positive, has met with some opposition since deciding to play in the NBA All-Star game and next summer’s Olympics.

The approval rate was much higher among the younger populace. The poll found that 82% of the 18-25 age group and 76% of the 26-44 division approved of Johnson on the roster. By contrast, 39% of the 65-plus age group approved, and 48% disapproved. In the 45-64 category, 54% approved and 38% disapproved.

The Times Poll found that 75% of black respondents approved of Johnson playing, and 17% disapproved. Anglos interviewed supported Johnson, 62%-31%.

The poll also found that liberals approved of Johnson by a greater margin than conservatives. Liberals supported Johnson, 73%-24%, and conservatives supported him, 55%-37%.

Overall, 65% approved, 29% disapproved and 6% did not know.

Some of those supporting Johnson said they did not believe he was a health risk by competing.

“I don’t feel anyone should be discriminated against,” said Elise Sahlmann, 21, a premed student at Yale. “I wouldn’t be going to medical school if I was afraid of the HIV virus. I feel he should have the right to play.”

Joseph Spanski, 30, a welder from Warren, Mich., said: “I can’t be prejudiced by something like this. Just because he has a disease, it is not fair to exclude him from something he loves.”

Some of those interviewed who disapproved said they were concerned that an HIV infection could be transmitted through an on-court collision.

Researchers say there is no documentation that the human immunodeficiency virus has been transmitted during a sporting event. Still, some people are concerned that an infected player could suffer an open wound and contaminate others, a fear that AIDS experts have been trying to allay.

“I have misgivings about how it can possibly be transmitted,” said poll respondent Russell Gardner, 53, of Newfane, N.Y., who repairs ambulatory pumps that have been used for blood research on AIDS patients. “We’ve been misled (on) so many things that I’m not really trusting on anything about (AIDS).

“We don’t have any hard, concrete facts that the government is (reporting). I don’t think we’re being told everything that everybody knows.”

Jim Montgomery, chief medical officer for this summer’s U.S. Olympic team, said the scientific literature is clear in its assessment that Johnson poses virtually no risk.

But some respondents who disapproved said they were skeptical of such reports.

“Researchers have been wrong before, like the breast implants for women,” said Clelia Towns, 75, of Garden City, Kan.

In a nationwide Times Poll taken last November, 53% said they admired Johnson a good or great amount. Sixty-eight percent said they thought he was a good or excellent role model for young people.

Charles Franks, a trailer mechanic from Stockton, illustrated the mixed emotions of some who disapproved of Johnson playing in the Olympics when he said he enjoyed watching the All-Star game in which Johnson scored 25 points and was named the most valuable player.

Franks, 52, said that, although he disapproves of Johnson playing: “I also realize a person cannot isolate himself from society. He cannot withdraw into a shell and pretend nothing is going on around (him).

“Maybe I’m just whistling at ghosts. I just don’t know that much about (AIDS), and I think that is where most people have their fear. If you don’t know, you back away.”

Alice Allen, a homemaker from Harrisburg, Pa., said lack of understanding has been the seed of controversy.

“I remember when they first talked about AIDS, I was part of the paranoia, too,” said Allen, 36, who approved of Johnson playing. “I think that is still prevalent out there.

“With more education most people would find that (it is OK for Johnson to play). He has the right to be there as far as his talent. It should be his decision.”

One of Johnson’s physicians, David Ho, director of New York University’s Aaron Diamond AIDS Research Center, said he expects the 6-foot-9 guard to be physically ready for the Olympics.

Johnson, who started taking the antiviral drug AZT in December, has not suffered from potential side effects, including anemia and severe stomach pain, Ho said. Whether Johnson continues to handle treatment without discomfort is one factor physicians will weigh before clearing him to play at Barcelona, Ho said.

Johnson and nine other NBA players have been selected to play for the United States. Two others, expected to be college players, also will be named.

In an effort to safeguard against unforeseen ailments and injuries, the U.S. Olympic Committee’s medical services program has a case review committee to act as final arbitrator.

Bob Beeten, manager of the medical services program, said should Johnson’s health become an issue, the final determination might be decided by his physicians instead of the USOC committee, a departure from procedure.

Beeten said the situation is so unusual he is not certain on how it would be handled.

Times assistant poll director Susan Pinkus contributed to this report.

Should Magic Play?

Do you approve or disapprove of Magic Johnson playing on the U.S. Olympic basketball team? OVERALL Approve: 65% Disapprove: 29% Don’t Know: 6% THE BREAKDOWN

Gender Approve Disapprove Don’t Know Male 64 30 6 Female 65 28 7

Ethnic Group Approve Disapprove Don’t Know Anglo 62 31 7 Black 75 17 8

Ages Approve Disapprove Don’t Know 18-25 82 14 4 26-44 76 20 4 45-64 54 38 8 65 and over 39 48 13

Political Ideology Approve Disapprove Don’t Know Liberal 73 24 3 Middle 69 25 6 Conservative 55 37 8