OLYMPIC REPORT / 36 DAYS TO THE GAMES : British Pull a Fast One on Johnson

The British athletics federation has banned world champion Michael Johnson from the July 12 London Grand Prix meet, saying it would be “demoralizing” for its runners to face him in the 400 meters.

“We’ve got a good squad of 400-meter runners and they’d like to have a run-out in this meeting before they come to Atlanta,” British spokesman Tony Ward said. “They felt that it would be a bit demoralizing running against Michael at that late stage in their preparation.”

Johnson’s business agent Brad Hunt accused the British of “nationalist suppression,” saying it was the second time Johnson had been banned from competing in Britain in three years.

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