LAUSANNE: Double Olympic champion Michael Johnson has withdrawn from all competition in Europe until July 12 after finishing well behind in a 400-metres race on last night in Paris.

Johnson, who led for about 250 metres before fading badly, ended up in fifth place in a time of 45.76 seconds, almost a full second behind the winner, fellow American Antonio Pettigrew.

This means that he will miss the track and field meetings at Sheffield (June 29), Lausanne (July 2) and Oslo (July 4). Stuttgart, on July 13, is still on his schedule.

US fans warned

WASHINGTON: The US state department warned Americans in San Salvador of possible danger if they attend Sunday's World Cup qualifier between the United States and El Salvador.

The US embassy urges US citizens who may be planning to attend...``to consider the danger they and their children might confront at such an event,'' the state department said.

``US citizens attending the recent match between Guatemala and US in El Salvador were threatened by fans and pelted by dangerous projectiles,'' the department said.

Malcolm injured

LONDON: England fast bowler Devon Malcolm was taken to hospital today when he was struck on the foot when batting in a county match, jeopardising his chances of playing in the next Test against Australia.

Essex fast bowler Mark Ilott, who ripped through the Derbyshire innings with seven wickets at Southend, delivered the yorker which injured Malcolm's left foot. The third Test at Old Trafford, Manchester, begins on July 3.

Match abandoned

OXFORD: The three-day cricket match between British Universities and Australia was abandoned without a ball being bowled today due to rain.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.