Gatlin’s 8 Year Doping Ban - A Recap
Posted August 24th, 2006 at 9:54 AM by Adam Jacobs
Section: News & Results, Track & Field, Drugs In Sports
Justin Gatlin, the Olympic champion and current 100m co-record holder, has accepted an 8 year ban from competition on August 15th. This was Gatlin’s second violation of the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency anti-doping regulations. Gatlin had originally failed a test after testing positive for medicine prescribed to him by a physician since he was a child to treat Attention Deficit Disorder. Although many have applauded Gatlin for coming forward, Gatlin’s representatives don’t believe he has admitted to anything. According to SI.com:
Team Gatlin insists that Gatlin hasn’t admitted to anything. In fact, they await an arbitration hearing at which they are expected to ask for a significant reduction (at least four years and maybe more) in Gatlin’s penalty.
Gatlin has since been banned from U.S. Olympic training facilities and from competing in any track and field competition. However, he will retain his share of the 100m record until his appeal has been settled. Asafa Powell, who shares the 100m record with Gatlin, has been extremely outspoken about Gatlin’s lack of integrity. Unsurprisingly, Powell now is “extremely confident” that he will set a new 100m world record. (Without Gatlin around - does anyone doubt him? This entire episode, although incredibly devastating to Gatlin, has certainly gone a long way in showing just how pompous Mr. Powell is)
For more details, check out:
Picture from: [NY Times]
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Tags: 100m, asafa powell, attention deficit disorder, doping, justin gatlin, trevor graham
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The Final Sprint
[…] Last April Gatlin tested positive for testosterone, a performance-enhancing drug, in what was his second violation of the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency’s doping regulations. Instead of facing a lifetime ban from track and field, he accepted an eight year ban and is currently trying to mitigate that punishment. […]
December 3rd, 2006 at 9:09 pm[…] Well it looks like the once ardent spokesperson for eradicating doping from sports and the now banned, drug-user is at it again. ESPN.com and the Associated Press have reported that Gatlin tried out for another NFL team, the Arizona Cardinals, a few days ago. Gatlin is currently facing an eight year ban from track & field and a possible revocation of his co-world record for the 100m. He has also not played football since he was in high school, but his speed has still been enough to get the attention of several NFL scouts. […]
December 17th, 2006 at 8:06 am