The Hindu : Sport / Athletics : Justin Gatlin reveals drug test failure

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Monday, Jul 31, 2006

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Justin Gatlin reveals drug test failure

— Photo: AP

TESTING TIMES: Gatlin says he has never knowingly used any banned substance.

NEW YORK: American sprinter Justin Gatlin, the World and Olympic 100m champion who also shares the 100m World record, revealed on Saturday that he had tested positive for "testosterone or its precursors" in April.

"I have been informed by the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) that after a relay race I ran in Kansas City on April 22, I tested positive for `testosterone or its precursors,"' Gatlin said in a statement.

"I cannot account for these results because I have never knowingly used any banned substance or authorised anyone else to administer such a substance to me."

He said he was cooperating with USADA's investigation of the case.

"Since learning of the test, I have been doing everything in my power to find out what caused this to happen," he said.

USA Track and Field chief executive Craig Masback responded to Gatlin's announcement with his own statement expressing a zero-tolerance of doping in the sport, but hoped that Gatlin would be proved innocent.

"Although difficult, his case demonstrates that in track and field and Olympic sports, it doesn't matter who you are," Masback said. "If you test positive for a banned substance, you will face substantial consequences.

"We hope Justin has not committed a doping offence and we await the completion of the adjudication process."

In Paris, the IAAF confirmed on Sunday that Gatlin would face a lifetime ban from athletics if his positive test for testosterone was confirmed by the American authorities.

"If USADA confirms the violation, the sanction laid down by the rules of the IAAF is suspension for life,'' said a statement. — Agencies

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