Olympic champion Gatlin to face anti-doping hearing

LONDON, July 30 (Reuters) Olympic and world 100 metres champion Justin Gatlin will attend a hearing before the US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) in the near future after failing a drugs test for testosterone.

The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) said in a statement today it would monitor the case and if USADA procedure confirmed the violation Gatlin would receive a life ban.

Gatlin, joint world record holder for 100 metres with Jamaican Asafa Powell, announced yesterday he had tested positive after a relay race in Kansas in April.

The 24-year-old American has denied ever knowingly using a banned substance or authorising anyone else to administer one to him.

IAAF president Lamine Diack said on the governing body's Web site: ''Although it is a matter of deep regret that one of the biggest stars of our sport is facing serious doping charges, I would take this opportunity to emphasise the IAAF's total commitment to the fight against doping.

''In order to defend the credibility of our sport, we will engage all our efforts, in co-operation with partners such as USADA, to defend the majority of athletes who are clean, against those who break our anti-doping rules.'' Gatlin, also the 200 metres world champion, was banned for two years in 2001 after testing positive for an amphetamine but was given early reinstatement by the IAAF, who accepted the result was due to medication prescribed to treat an attention deficit disorder.

REUTERS DH KP1938