PARIS. May 4 : Hen Johnson and Carl Lewis could race each other in France on July 1 in their first

direct meeting since the fated 1988 Olympics 100 metres final, reports Reuter.

A spoke.smun far die French AthieUx r cduaU. i.. winch is responsible for the Grand Prix tn Villeneuve D' Ascq near Lille, said on Friday that Johnson, back from a two-year ban for doping, and his American rival had been con tailed

Asked whether the contacts involved a race against each other, the spokesman said: 'Maybe."

He refused to give further details. "We have contacts with a number of atliletes, including (Soviet pole vaulter) Sergei Bubka and (Moroccan middle distance runner) Said Aouita." he said .

"But nothing Is definite yet."

He said more details sltould be announced on May 14

Johnson Lewis tn the Seoul Olympics but the Canadian then had his gold medal taken away and was stripped of the world record. His form on In-door tracks since his ban

ended lias been mediocre

Lewis was awarded the gold medal and credited with the world record for the time of

9.92 seconds he set in Seoul.

A rematch between the two would be certain to Involve large fees for both, men, who

have already agreed to meet in Malmo. Sweden on August 5 before an expected confrontation later that month at the world championships tn Tokyo.

Johnson's trial

Meanwhile Reuter from Toronto adds: A Canadian Judge agreed on Friday to postpone th«. trial of sprinter Ben Johnson on an assault charge until October 21 to allow him to compete this summer without interruption.

Judge Bill Babe of the Ontario court's Provincial Division said trial dates were available in June, but agreed with the defence lawyer that Johnson should be able to complete his 'Schedule in Europe and the United States.

Sprinter Cheryl Thibedeau alleged that Johnson, who recently resumed his running career after a two-year ban for drug use. grabbed her around the throat in an incident last December. She said she suffered an asthma attack, a swollen throat and whiplash as a result

Johnson was disqualified from the 1988 Seoul Olympics and stripped of a gold medal and his world record after testing positive for steroids.