Frantic Gatlin is back in court

Source: Agencies  |   2008-6-25  |     NEWSPAPER EDITION

OLYMPIC 100 metres champion Justin Gatlin on Monday began another challenge against a doping ban in the hope of competing in this week's American trials for the Beijing Games.

US judge Lacey Collier issued a 10-day restraining order prohibiting the US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA), US Olympic Committee, USA Track & Field and the International Association of Athletics Federations from barring Gatlin from the trials because of his doping suspension.

The International Olympic Committee however said Gatlin, whose four-year doping ban recently was upheld by the Court of Arbitration for Sport, is not eligible to compete in the Beijing Games, regardless of any ruling by a federal court judge in Pensacola.

"Should he wish to appeal this CAS decision, he must do so before the Swiss Federal Court," wrote IOC director of legal affairs Howard Stupp in the letter dated June 23 that was filed with the court.

Nine lawyers from the US Olympic Committee, USA Track & Field and the US Anti-Doping Agency absolutely agreed on Monday. They descended upon Pensacola to try to persuade Judge Collier that he doesn't have the authority to override CAS, sport's highest court.

Gatlin must finish in the top three of his event to make the US Olympic team.

"I'm not afraid of what anybody thinks or what anybody's going to say," Gatlin said. "Half are going to believe, and the other half are not going to believe in what's going on right now. My focus and determination is to get out there and prove to the world that I am Justin Gatlin."

Gatlin spent the last month training with his former college coach in Atlanta. He has tried to stay focused on earning a spot in the Summer Games, but it hasn't been easy, especially since his future has been so uncertain for so long.

But Friday's victory - even if it was a temporary one - provided a boost for the former Tennessee star.

"It was more of a strengthening tool for me to get back out there," Gatlin said. "I felt like I had more purpose to be on the track."

Maybe so, but Gatlin also refused to let himself get too excited. He knows he hasn't raced in more than two years and would face plenty of competition at trials.

"Obviously I haven't had any professional races, but I think with the competitiveness I've had in my heart and the determination and feeling that I've been discriminated against, I think that will make me a worthy competitor out there."

Gatlin had sought the court's relief to compete, contending the punishment for his first doping offense in 2001 - a positive test for amphetamines, a substance that was part of medication he was taking for attention deficit disorder - violated the Americans with Disabilities Act.