Say It Isn't So: Sprinter Gatlin Loses Appeal

After weeks of appealing to run in the U.S Olympic track trails in Eugene, Oregon, Justin Gatlin finally realized that he’s not going to Beijing this summer.

The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Atlanta ruled that Gatlin has not shown that he meets an “applicable standard for such an injunction.” Gatlin lost his appeal after stating in the appeal that he was unrightfully discriminated against under the Americans with Disability Act because he was talking a prescribed medication to treat his attention deficit disorder.

Although earlier this month the Court of Arbitration for Sport upheld a four-year ban against Gatlin for doping violations not excusing his 2001 doping offense in which he stated that he was taking a prescribed medication.

That maybe true, but how many athletes would continue taking a medication that is banned or knowingly contains high dosage of steroids.

Gatlin seems to have his 2001 doping offense all figured out, but what about his other doping offenses? How did he think that the CCA was going to rule in his favor?

Remember when he claimed that his then-coach Trevor Graham had a trainer rub cream on his leg explaining that’s how he tested positive for steroids.

What a minute! Isn’t this the same scenario that happened to former Olympic medalist Marion Jones? Jones stated the she told her then-coach Trevor Graham that she was taking flaxseed oil, not the steroid known as THG or “the clear.”

It seems that these two prodigies of Graham certainly didn’t understand how they were testing positive for steroids or performance enhancing drugs.

Whatever the case might be, it seems very peculiar that an athlete would continue training with a coach that knowingly drugged his athletes.

It would be a warning sign, but I guess the reward is greater than the cost. As for Gatlin, maybe he’ll continue coaching track at his former high school and stop appealing doping offenses.
Certainly the U.S track and field team doesn’t need a savior right now, but could use the help of sprinter Tyson Gay to help the U.S. capture a gold medal in men’s 100m dash at this year’s Olympics.

Maybe-just maybe the Americans will be able to hold on to the gold and not find out that another sprinter is involved in the BALCO doping scandal.