The Canadian government will allow Ben Johnson...

The Canadian government will allow Ben Johnson to return to competition, but according to the Canadian Olympic Assn., his eligibility to join teams sanctioned by the COA has not been determined.

The association, which has jurisdiction over Canadian participation in the Olympic Games and the Pan American Games, said it reserves the right to extend any suspension imposed by national or international federations.

Federal Sport Minister Marcel Danis announced Thursday that while the government’s lifetime ban on funding to the Toronto sprinter would remain in effect, any decision on competitive sanctions would rest with the sport’s national governing body, Athletics Canada.

Johnson’s two-year suspension from international competition ends Sept. 24, and Athletics Canada says he will be welcomed back, provided he meets qualifying standards.