Jolted by positive doping tests against two of its most visible athletes in recent days, the U.S. Olympic Committee today notified controversial track coach Trevor Graham he is prohibited from using any of its training centers or facilities.
Graham coaches sprinter Justin Gatlin, the co-holder of the 100-meter world record who tested positive for testosterone at a meet in April. Graham has coached at least six athletes who have been sanctioned for performance-enhancing drugs, including former 100-meter world record holder Tim Montgomery. Officials of USA Track & Field met with Gatlin two years ago, urging him to find a different coach.
Graham is the first coach to be permanently banned from the U.S. Olympic Training Centers.
“Based on the unusual number of athletes he has coached who have been convicted of doping offenses we are today notifying Trevor Graham in writing that he is prohibited from using any of our training centers or training sites,” said USOC chairman Peter Ueberroth.
News of Gatlin’s positive test came while the Olympic sports world was still reeling from the news that Floyd Landis, winner of the Tour de France, tested positive for testosterone.
“While good progress has been made in the fight against doping, particularly since the advent of (the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency) six years ago, a great deal more must be done if we are going to succeed,” Ueberroth said. “The news this last few weeks regarding two athletes from two different sports is a cold reminder that we’re not winning the battle.”
Coaches have the same right to due process under the Amateur Sports Act as athletes, so the USOC and USATF have limited means to punish them. Coaches can be prosecuted for doping offenses and banned from the sport, but those decisions have to come from USADA.
“As it relates to individuals who work with our athletes – coaches, trainers, agents and others – we will do everything we can to hold those people accountable,” said USOC chief executive Jim Scherr. “If they are influencing, encouraging or facilitating athletes using performance-enhancing drugs, we have no tolerance for them nor their methods, and we will do what we can to restrict their access to our athletes.”
