
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: FRIDAY, March 8, 1991                   TAG: 9103080261
SECTION: SPORTS                    PAGE: B4   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: From Associated Press reports
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

JOHNSON PLANS TO RETIRE AFTER '92 OLYMPICS

A relaxed Ben Johnson, only two months into his comeback from a drug suspension, surprised everyone Thursday with the announcement that he will retire after the 1992 Olympic Games.

"I'm 29 now and it will be time to pack it up 18 months from now," Johnson said a day before the World Indoor Track and Field Championships. "I'm putting in a lot of hard training. It gets frustrating at times. These are my two big years left - this year and next year."

Johnson, laughing and smiling occasionally, said the Barcelona Games and this year's world indoor and outdoor championships were his most important meets before his retirement.

The indoor meet, in which Johnson is among the favorites in today's 60-meter final, is his first major championship event since his disqualification from the Seoul Games, where he tested positive for steroids. A two-year suspension followed.

A contrite Johnson returned to competition in January, and in eight races, he has won five and finished second three times.

by CNB