Coach Graham under investigation by IAAF

Aug 10, 2006, 11:55 GMT

Monte Carlo - Trevor Graham, the coach of disgraced American sprinter Justin Gatlin, is under investigation by the world governing athletics body IAAF.

'The IAAF wishes to confirm that it is investigating, in conjunction with its partner, the United States Anti-Doping Agency, the activities of coach Trevor Graham,' the IAAF said in a statement issued on Thursday.

'If evidence exists, either from the ongoing Balco investigation or otherwise, that Graham has engaged in doping practices in breach of IAAF Rules, disciplinary proceedings will be initiated against him through (the United States Anti-Doping Agency) USADA.'

Gatlin, the world and Olympic 100 metres champion and co-owner of the world record over the distance, was the latest of Graham's athletes to fail a doping test, for the steroid testosterone at a competition in the US on April 22.

Gatlin faces a life ban if found guilty because he is a second-time offender.

At least seven athletes trained by Graham have been banned over doping offences in recent years, most notably the former 100m world record holder Tim Montgomery over evidence from the case around the Balco lab in California and its designer drug THG.

Three-time Olympic champion Marion Jones has also been linked to the affair, but no sanctions have been applied.

According to the San Francisco Chronicle daily, Balco owner Victor Conte drafted a letter in the summer of 2003 in which he accused Graham of giving athletes including Gatlin testosterone. But he never sent it to the US Olympic Committee and USADA.

Gatlin has denied intentional doping and Graham has reportedly passed a polygraph test to show that he didn't supply his athletes with forbidden substances. Graham has been banned from all American Olympic training centres over the affair.

Coaches and others can be punished if found guilty of violating IAAF doping rules.

'The IAAF remains totally committed to the fight against doping. In order to defend the credibility of our sport, we will engage all our efforts to defend the majority of athletes who are clean, against athletes, coaches, managers or any other support personnel who break our anti-doping rules,' the IAAF said.