Jamaican-born coach Graham faces ban

American legend Michael Johnson, a five-time Olympic medalist, said Jamaican-born coach Trevor Graham, the man in charge of sprinter Justin Gatlin, should be banned from coaching track and field, following the latest hiccup in his training camp, which saw another athlete being tested positive for doping.

In a report on Saturday, Gatlin, the World and Olympic Champion over 100-metres and the Joint-World Record Holder with Jamaican Asafa Powell, confirmed he had failed a drugs test after a relay race in Kansas in April.{{more}}

“Graham should be banned for life due to his involvement with an alarming number of athletes who have tested positive while training under him,” Johnson told the Daily Telegraph.

“Unfortunately, there is no rule in place to deal with coaches like him. And until there is, we might continue to see athletes cheating and damaging the sport.”

Johnson, who destroyed the 200m World Record at the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games, blames Gatlin for the situation he finds himself in after he chose to continue to be guided by the Jamaican, whose record in doping scandals is no secret.

“Graham has had several athletes who have tested positive or been banned from track and field. Yet Gatlin has continued his association with Graham knowing it would probably taint him.