‘ Shocked’ Gatlin dumps coach after doping claim
London, Dec. 19: World 100 metres champion Justin Gatlin said on Tuesday he was “shocked and surprised” at doping allegations made against his coach Dennis Mitchell, like Gatlin a convicted doper, but added that he had sacked him as soon as he heard about the issue.
Britain’s Daily Telegraph set up a sting where they claim Mitchell, the American former medal- winning sprinter who was previously banned for doping, and sports agent Robert Wagner had offered to supply performanceenhancing drugs to undercover reporters claiming to be making a movie featuring a doped athlete.
Gatlin, 35, who won the world title in London this year against a backdrop of jeering relating to his two doping bans, issued a statement via Instagram where he said: “I am not using and have not used PEDs ( performanceenhancing drugs.
“I was shocked and surprised to learn that my coach would have anything to do with even the appearance of these current accusations. I fired him as soon as I found out about this.
“All legal options are on the table as I will not allow others to lie about me like this.”
The Athletics Integrity Unit and the US AntiDoping Agency have both said they are investigating the claims.
The International Olympic Committee said on Tuesday: “The IOC has full confidence that Wada will look very carefully into this matter.”