JOHNSON GETS LIFETIME BAN

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

DATE: SATURDAY, March 6, 1993                   TAG: 9303060075
SECTION: SPORTS                    PAGE: B1   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: PARIS                                LENGTH: Short
JOHNSON GETS LIFETIME BAN
First Seoul, now Montreal. After failing another drug test, Ben Johnson is forbidden from ever running competitively again.
The Canadian sprinter was banned for life Friday by track and field's governing body after testing positive for steroids twice in five years.
He was stripped of a gold medal and world record and suspended for two years after failing a drug test at the 1988 Seoul Olympics. He failed a second time after a meet in Montreal on Jan. 17.
The International Amateur Athletic Federation's doping commission ruled Friday that he tested positive for an excessive level of steroid-related testosterone.
"This is a clear-cut test of testosterone doping," commission chairman Dr. Arne Ljungqvist said. "We are very sad that this man is found guilty."
Under IAAF rules, Johnson was automatically banned for life for a second violation. He can appeal the ruling at a hearing before the Canadian national federation. The IAAF believes he has little chance of succeeding.
"I can see no reason or no grounds . . . that the results can be contested," Ljungqvist said.
Johnson, in a statement released by his lawyer, denied any wrongdoing.
"Mr. Johnson stands by his earlier statement that he has taken no prohibited substances and has engaged in no improper practices," Terrence O'Sullivan, the attorney, said.

by Archana Subramaniam by CNB