In June 2003, Graham helped launch the federal investigation of the Bay Area Laboratory Co-Operative by anonymously mailing a syringe containing a previously undetectable steroid to USADA. He acknowledged mailing the syringe at the 2004 Athens Olympics, and has noted the action as a way of defending himself against allegations that he’s involved in doping.
“If they had any kind of case against me, I wouldn’t be here right now,” Graham told WRAL-TV. “I’ve never been in front of the grand jury. I’ve never testified in front of the grand jury. I’m not under any kind of investigation. So, what’s going on?”
Gatlin is not the only elite athlete trying to clear his name; findings against the sprinter came days after a testosterone imbalance showed up in a urine sample of Tour de France champion Floyd Landis. The American cyclist also denies knowingly taking testosterone.
Graham said Gatlin was the victim of a vengeful massage therapist who rubbed testosterone cream on him without his knowledge. But the therapist, Christopher Whetstine — who has worked with Olympian Marion Jones and other elite athletes — says the coach’s allegations are untrue.
Gatlin’s attorney has distanced the runner from Graham’s comments.
In 2004, the head of USA Track and Field, Craig Masback, met with Gatlin and suggested the sprinter find another coach, a person with knowledge of the meeting told The Associated Press. Masback made the suggestion because of Graham’s involvement in the BALCO case and Gatlin’s status as a rising star in the sport, said the source, who asked not to be identified because of the sensitivity of the issue.
Though Graham has always denied direct knowledge or involvement with performance-enhancing drugs, he has been squarely in the aim of the USOC, which has been looking for ways to penalize coaches, agents and trainers who influence athletes with positive tests.
The USOC made no announcement Thursday about barring Graham from future competitions, which wouldn’t be as easy as restricting access to its own training centers. Officials at track’s international governing body, however, said earlier this week that they could ban Graham for two years with the right evidence.
“There is a process spelled out. There are due rights for people to participate,” Scherr said. “We’ll follow those processes.”
Before Thursday’s announcement, officials with the final Golden League meet in Berlin barred any athletes linked to Graham from the Sept. 3 event. Five-time Olympic medalist Marion Jones, Olympic 200-meter champion Shawn Crawford and sprinter Dwight Thomas are among the athletes excluded.
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