PENSACOLA, Fla. — Banned sprinter Justin Gatlin got support but no relief Tuesday from a federal judge who rescinded his order allowing the defending 100-meter champion to compete in this weekend’s Olympic track and field trials.
Judge Lacey Collier said that while he believed Gatlin “is being wronged,” he lacked jurisdiction over the U.S. Olympic Committee to determine who is eligible for the trials.
The former world 100- and 200-meter champion’s next recourse will be with an appellate court in Atlanta. Gatlin’s attorney, Joe Zarzaur, said he will file an appeal this morning along with a motion asking the 11th Circuit Court to reinstate the injunction during the appeals process, which would allow Gatlin to run in the trials.
“Justin’s been through the wringer,” Zarzaur said. “He’s had so many ups and downs. . . . Of course he’s disappointed, but it’s not over yet.”
Zarzaur said the appeal will focus on the jurisdiction aspect of the case, something he felt he lacked in Pensacola on Monday.
“If we can find some jurisdiction in Atlanta, then we’re going to get our relief,” Zarzaur said.
Two weeks ago, the Switzerland-based Court of Arbitration for Sport upheld a four-year ban against Gatlin. He had asked CAS to rescind his first doping violation — from 2001 — which he had hoped would reduce his penalty to a two-year ban, allowing him to compete in the trials.
The 26-year-old sprinter’s first doping offense was a positive test for amphetamines at the 2001 junior nationals. The substance was part of medication Gatlin was taking for attention deficit disorder.
Gatlin received a two-year suspension but was reinstated after one year. He wants that offense erased, contending the punishment violated the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Gatlin’s second doping offense stems from a positive test at the Kansas Relays in 2006.
Collier wrote that he agreed with Gatlin’s argument, but lacked authority in the case.
“The result of this determination is quite troubling because Mr. Gatlin is being wronged, and the United States courts have no power to right the wrong perpetrated upon one of its citizens,” Collier said.
He faulted the USOC for failing to consider the disabilities act.
Safina added to Russian team
WIMBLEDON, England — Ranked No. 9, Dinara Safina has been advised by the Russian Tennis Federation she can play singles for the Olympic team at Beijing in August.
The spot came open when No. 8-ranked Anna Chakvetadze decided to skip Beijing.
“I qualified in really the last, last moment,” Safina said. “It was my goal from the beginning of the year. I really want to thank her (Chakvetadze) that she gives me a chance to go there.”
Bulgarian shooter tests positive for cocaine
SOFIA, Bulgaria — Shooter Antoaneta Boneva has been dropped from the Bulgarian Olympic team after testing positive for cocaine.
Bulgaria’s Olympic Committee said Boneva failed the test in May during a competition in Italy. Boneva, 22, was to compete in the 25-meter rapid-fire pistol category.
The Associated Press
