Sprinter Ben Johnson will try to qualify...

Sprinter Ben Johnson will try to qualify in the 100 meters next week for the Canadian team going to the 1991 World Championships at Tokyo and also will race in the relays to hone his competitive edge, his manager said.

Manager Kemeel Azan denied reports that Johnson had abandoned hopes of running in the individual sprint and had decided instead to run in the relay at the meet Aug. 24-Sept. 1.

“If Ben doesn’t run 10.30, he won’t qualify,” Azan said. “But he automatically has a spot on the 4x100 relay team.”

Johnson has struggled since returning to competition after expiration of a two-year ban for failing a drug test at the 1988 Olympics.