ROME. Dec 31: American sprint champion Michael . Johnson and France's Marie-Jose Perec were named as the top sports stars of 1996 by the Italian newspaper La Gazzetta Dello Sport today, reports Reuter.

Johnson, who pulled off an unprecedented double in Atlanta as the first man ever to win the Olympic 200 and 400 metres races, easily beat compatriot Carl Lewis and Russian swimmer Alexander Popov in ' annual poll held among the newspaper's journalists.

Perec, who also triumphed in the 200 and 400 metres in At- i lanta. headed Russian athlete Svetlana Masterkova and Hungarian swimmer Krisztina Egerszegi in the women s vote.

In the domestic arena. Olympic gold-winning gymnast Jury Chechi was named best Italian male while Olympic and World Giant Slaom champion skier. Deborah Compagnqnl. was voted top woman. >7 ' ;

Spragr team Juventus^j^o t won the "European Cup.’ Were ’ named bes^ Italian team. j