Gatlin gearing up for face CAS in a bid to defend Olympic title
Tuesday May 20, 2008

 

By Gary Smith

MIAMI, Florida -- American reigning Olympic 100-metre champion Justin Gatlin is gearing up for a final cry to save his track and field career when he go before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) for a hearing on May 28-29 in New York City.

Gatlin, who was been suspended in January for a doping violation, wants a further reduction in the four-year ban to give him a chance to defend his Olympic dash title at the Beijing Games. 

"Our understanding is a ruling would come in time for him to compete in the trials," Maurice Suh, Gatlin's attorney, said Monday.

Asked if Gatlin would be ready in time to compete against the likes of Tyson Gay, Mike Rogers and the others at the trials, should the green light be given to him to compete again, Suh said the sprinter is know for working hard and nothing has changed.

"We look to have competition as soon as we can," he said. "He is a great American athlete. In order for him to have reached the performance levels he has, dedication in training is part of his character.

"Justin is no different now going through this because all of this arose."

The US Olympic athletics trials are set for June 27-July 6 in Eugene, Oregon.