THE SIDELINES : Lacked Drug Evidence, Official Says

TORONTO — A former head of the Canadian Track and Field Assn. denied allegations today that he ignored evidence about steroid use by athletes.

Wilf Wedmann told a federal inquiry he could not act on allegations that Ben Johnson and other Canadian athletes were taking steroids because he never had the evidence--namely, athletes and coaches willing to testify for the record.

“We need people on the record. We need people that can be put before a hearing to testify to that effect,” Wedmann said.

Wedmann also said he did not have the authority to authorize a “sting” operation to set a trap for Johnson.