U.S. Decathlete Dave Johnson Cleared of Possible Drug Use

Decathlete Dave Johnson has been cleared of suspicion that he used an illegal performance-enhancing substance, International Amateur Athletic Federation and USA Track & Field sources said Sunday.

A drug test in March revealed that Johnson had a higher level of testosterone than generally allowable, but, upon review, the IAAF was convinced the male hormone was naturally produced by his body and not taken externally.

If the IAAF had found otherwise, Johnson, 32, of LaVerne, would have been suspended for four years, effectively ending the 1992 Olympic bronze medalist’s career.

Significant in Johnson’s defense was that he was exonerated in 1993 after a drug test produced a similar result.

The IAAF allowed him to continue competing while reviewing his case. There will be no formal announcement that he has been cleared, the sources said, because his test was never considered an official positive.

Johnson, who has been battling injuries since 1992, finished 15th in this summer’s national championships and did not qualify for the World Championships that ended here Sunday.