Johnson’s conspiracy theory cites Lewis

Disgraced sprinter Ben Johnson has claimed rival Carl Lewis played a part in a conspiracy to sabotage his drug sample at the 1988 Seoul Olympics.

Johnson set a world record of 9.79 seconds to win the 100 meters at Seoul but was stripped of his gold medal and world record when he tested positive for the banned steroid stanozolol.

The Canadian-born sprinter since has admitted using banned drugs but insists his positive test at Seoul was the result of a conspiracy to discredit him.

Johnson told Melbourne’s Herald Sun newspaper in a Dec. 1 interview that he drank beer with a former U.S. football player -- “a family friend” of Lewis’ -- in the drug test waiting room at Seoul and that his beer had been tainted with stanozolol.

Asked whether Lewis was involved, Johnson said: “I won’t say too much but ... he’s involved.”

Lewis’ manager, Joe Douglas, rejected Johnson’s claims, telling the Herald Sun: “Carl had absolutely nothing to do with Ben testing positive.

With Johnson’s disqualification, Lewis was awarded the gold medal.

BOXING

Nino suspended after positive drug test

World Boxing Council light flyweight champion Omar Nino was temporarily suspended after testing positive for methamphetamine after last month’s title bout, Nevada boxing regulators said.

Nino is the first fighter to test positive for methamphetamine in Nevada.

The commission also temporarily suspended Orlando Salido of Mexico after he tested positive for the banned steroid.

Former heavyweight champion Greg Page was transferred to a rehabilitation center in Louisville 10 days after being hospitalized with pneumonia.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

UNLV’s Hinds undergoes knee surgery

Nevada Las Vegas starting quarterback Rocky Hinds will undergo surgery to repair a partially torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee, team officials said.

Surgery was scheduled for Dec. 15, and UNLV officials said Hinds, a sophomore transfer from USC, will need six months of rehabilitation.

SOCCER

Toronto hires former U.S. coach Gansler

Former U.S. national team coach Bob Gansler was hired as an assistant for Toronto FC, which will become Major League Soccer’s 13th club when it debuts in April.

FC Barcelona and AS Roma won places in the second round of the Champions League by winning their final group games.

MISCELLANY

Heart surgery for former pro golfer Venturi

Former U.S. Open golf champion Ken Venturi was expected to have a full recovery after undergoing heart surgery last Friday at Rancho Mirage.

World Cup ski races scheduled for Dec. 15-16 in Val Gardena, Italy, will go ahead despite a lack of natural snow, the International Ski Federation said.