Source: Sprinter coached by Graham fails drug test
Another track athlete coached by Trevor Graham has tested positive for banned performance-enhancing drugs.
Sprinter LaTasha Jenkins tested positive for the anabolic steroid nandrolone in July, a source familiar with the results told The Associated Press on Thursday. Only the "A" test has been conducted, said the source, who asked not to be identified because the results have not officially been made public.
The test was done in July by the International Association of Athletics Federations in Europe. If the second "B" test is positive, Jenkins could face a minimum two-year ban from competition.
Jenkins' positive test first was reported Thursday on the Web site of the Chicago Tribune.
Graham denied the Tribune report. "That is not true," he told Reuters by telephone.
Jenkins, 28, has experienced knee problems recently and had flown home to Raleigh from Europe, Graham said.
The International Association of Athletics Federations and USA Track & Field would not comment on the report.
Graham has had several athletes test positive for banned substances, including Olympic 100-meter champion Justin Gatlin. The co-world record holder in the 100 meters tested positive for testosterone and other steroids at the Kansas Relays on April 22.
On Tuesday, Gatlin reached an agreement with the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency not to contest the positive results. In response, USADA issued a ban for a maximum of eight years. Gatlin can reduce the ban substantially by cooperating with investigators.
Graham, former coach of Marion Jones and Tim Montgomery, has been banned from using U.S. Olympic Committee training facilities. Graham did not return a message left Thursday on his cell phone.
Jenkins, 28, finished third in the 200 meters at the U.S. track and field championships in Indianapolis in late June. In 2001, she won the silver medal in the 200 at the world indoor championships and the bronze in the same event at the world outdoors.
She announced her retirement in 2003 but returned to the sport the following year.
Her best time of this season, 22.50 in a semifinal heat in Indianapolis, ranks 11th on this year's world list. Four Americans have run faster.
Jenkins is the third U.S. track athlete to test positive for banned drugs recently. The others are Gatlin and Jones, who tested positive for the endurance-enhancer EPO after winning the 100 meters at the U.S. championships June 23.
The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.
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