The Testosterone Spotlight Now Shines On A World Class Sprinter
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by user StockMail
On the heels of the news that Tour de France winner Floyd Landis tested positive for unusually high levels of testosterone, American sprinter and co-world record holder (shares 100 meters record with Jamaica's Asafa Powell) Justin Gatlin came forward with the news that back in April he was informed that he had failed a drug test.
"I have been informed by the United States Anti-doping Agency 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.
However, unlike Landis, Gatlin also registered another positive test when his 'B' sample was tested now he faces a lifetime ban from the sport. But honestly I'm not surprised in the least. When asked in the past, Gatlin has said several times that he wanted to be a catalyst in changing the negative reputation that track and field has earned, but this news won't do any good for that effort.
It should be noted that Gatlin's coach is Trevor Graham, who is track and field's answer to BALCO CEO Victor Conte. As a matter of fact, Graham's ties to Conte came to light during the course of the BALCO steroids investigation. There's an old saying that goes 'where there's smoke, there's fire.' Well, in relation to track and field, where there's Graham, there's suspicion.
In the past, Graham has worked with Tim Montgomery and Marion Jones. Montgomery, according to leaked grand jury testimony, testified that he, along with other sprinters, had obtained human growth hormone and steroids from BALCO. Subsequently, Montgomery's confession led to a two-year ban from the sport and ultimately forced him to retire.
I can remember the day when I read in [[Sports Illustrated] that Justin Gatlin had hired Trevor Graham to work with him. Upon reading that I was hit with a sudden feeling of uneasiness. Don't get wrong I don't fall into the trap of prejudging people, but I'm a strong believer in the notion that the best way to predict someone's future actions is to look at their past. And Graham's past had me feeling wary about Gatlin's future. Now in the world of critical thinking, that notion is flawed to say the least. But in the world of track and field, it's par for the course.
Date
Sat 07/29/06, 7:07 pm EST
