SUMMER GAMES SPOTLIGHT : BARCELONA ’92 OLYMPICS / DAY 14 : MAGIC SEEKS HELP OF IOC ON AIDS

Magic Johnson took his fight against HIV and AIDS to the international level when he met with Juan Antonio Samaranch.

Johnson asked Samaranch for help in programs of AIDS awareness.

Said Samaranch: “I promised him he will have the help of the International Olympic Committee and the Olympic movement.”

Samaranch was asked if that meant the IOC would contribute money to AIDS research, or if the IOC would finance AIDS awareness programs.

“It’s very easy to say yes,” Samaranch said, “but before saying yes, we have to study it. But as I said to Magic, we are ready to help.”

Johnson said he did not ask Samaranch or the IOC for money. He is more interested in the publicity vehicle. The IOC has the way to distribute information to nations throughout the world.

“I didn’t come here to ask for money,” Johnson said. “I came here to ask him for help. It’s not about financial matters. It’s about spreading the word to young people that the virus and AIDS are out there in a big way.

“He’s a well-known and well-traveled man in Europe. When he speaks, people listen. That’s what we need--a big voice, somebody who can carry a big bat--not a small bat, but a big bat. He’s the man.”

This a daily roundup of Olympic-related items from reporters in Barcelona from the Los Angeles Times, Newsday and Baltimore Sun, all Times-Mirror newspapers.