USOC Introduces New Public Program To Help Snuff Out Doping

Ueberroth Seeking Additional Funding For Anti-Doping Effort

USOC Chair Peter Ueberroth “plans to turn up the heat on the government and other U.S. sports entities to boost their contributions to anti-doping efforts,” according to Vicki Michaelis of USA TODAY. The USOC’s new “National Call To Action” program “will ask for money and anti-doping research and education.” USOC CEO Jim Scherr: “USADA has made progress, but we need others to join this fight as well.” Noting congressional hearings last year around the use of performance enhancing drugs in team sports, Ueberroth said government officials have “chosen to participate in hearings and being on television, those kinds of things. It’s now time to help, join in finding solutions” (USA TODAY, 8/4). IOC President Jacques Rogge “called on Friday for greater cooperation between governments and sports federations after” potential doping violations by U.S. sprinter Justin Gatlin and Tour de France champion Floyd Landis. Rogge in a statement said, “We must keep up the fight against doping through strengthened concerted efforts between governments and the world of sport” (REUTERS, 8/4).

GRAHAM: The USOC has permanently banned track coach Trevor Graham from using its three training centers or 12 training sites. Ueberroth said the move was “based on the unusual number of athletes he has coached who have been convicted of doping offenses.” Graham has coached at least six athletes who have been punished for doping offenses. This is the first such penalty by the USOC. Graham’s lawyer, Joseph Zeszotarski, said, “There is no basis for any ban of Trevor, and he will be pursuing all legal avenues available” (USA TODAY, 8/4). In L.A., Alan Abrahamson writes the ban is “likely to prove more symbolic than concrete” because Graham’s base “has long been at a track in Raleigh” not affiliated with the USOC (L.A. TIMES, 8/4).

JUMPING THE GUN: Gatlin faces a lifetime ban if he is found guilty of his second doping violation. In N.Y., Zinser & Macur note the ban “could be reduced to no less than eight years, the rules say, but there have been occasions where that rule did not apply.” The Court of Arbitration for Sport reduced tennis player Mariano Puerto’s suspension to two years, “after finding he had no significant fault or negligence.” A two-year ban would allow Gatlin to qualify for the ’08 Beijing Games. Also, USADA “could offer Gatlin a chance at a reduced punishment if he cooperates with an investigation of

Golden Rule: German Race Bars Jones, Others From Event

Graham.” A “similar deal was offered” to sprinter Kelli White, who testified in hearings against “several other athletes and Coach Remy Korchemny when she was caught” in ’03 (N.Y. TIMES, 8/4).

BERLIN WALL: Gerhard Janetzky, who organizes the Golden League meet in Berlin on September 3, said that Gatlin, Marion Jones and “other athletes linked to Graham will be barred” from the event. Jones is no longer coached by Graham, but she “has been dogged by doping allegations” despite never testing positive. Janetzky said that all Golden League meets “should adopt a similar policy.” The Golden League is a six-meet circuit in Europe that offers winners a $1M prize (AROUNDTHERINGS.com, 8/3).