Gatlin not asked to withdraw from championships

RALEIGH, North Carolina, Aug 5 (Reuters) Justin Gatlin's mother has denied reports her son was asked by US athletics officials to pull out of June's national championships after a positive test for the male sex hormone testosterone.

''That is totally, totally a lie,'' Jeanette Gatlin told Reuters in a telephone call from her Pensacola, Florida, home.

A source close to the situation said yesterday that USA Track&Field (USATF) officials had suggested Gatlin withdraw from the championships because of the positive A sample.

Gatlin successfully defended his 100 metres championship and then announced last Saturday he had tested positive for testosterone or its precusers.

The 100 metres joint world record holder said he did not know how he had failed the test and had never knowingly taken banned substances. He faces a life ban unless cleared since this would be his second positive test.

Gatlin's mother told Reuters it was several days after the US championships that USA Track&Field chief executive officer Craig Masback asked her son to stop running. Gatlin had complied with Masback's request.

She said Gatlin signed a waiver not to run in July after the B sample showed a positive test.

''That (the US championships) was the only race that Justin ran that we were aware of the test,'' Jeanette Gatlin said.

She said Masback never mentioned in her presence Gatlin should withdraw from the championships during a meeting which Gatlin, his parents, his agent and Nike representatives attended before the championships.

''He certainly didn't say it to us,'' she said.

Masback, who is traveling in Europe, declined by e-mail to comment on Jeanette Gatlin's remarks.

Gatlin's mother said as recently as Thursday she had asked her son if someone had suggested he not run in the championships.

She said Gatlin responded, ''He (USA CEO Craig Masback) never told me not to run (in the championships).'' ''I said to Justin (before the meet), 'What are the rules? Do you run, do you not run?' He said, 'Nobody told me not to run so I am going to run.'' Jeanette Gatlin said her son has his good days and his bad days as he copes with the positive test.

''Even though you know he is hurting and he is feeling what he is feeling,'' the 24-year-old Gatlin remains quiet, his mother said.

''But he is quiet anyway,'' she said. ''Anything else is not normal for him.

''We had friends come home and they said they did not know he was in the house unless they heard the refrigerator.'' REUTERS AY KN1902