WRAL Sports Fan

Video:

"I have been informed by the United States Anti-Doping Agency that after a relay race I ran in Kansas City on April 22, I tested positive for ‘testosterone or its precursors,'" Gatlin said in a statement.

Gatlin, who lives in Raleigh and trains with Raleigh-based Spring Capitol, also said he has never knowingly used any banned substance or authorized anyone to administer a banned substance to him.

"Since learning of the positive test, I have been doing everything in my power to find out what caused this to happen," he said.

In an interview with WRAL on Saturday, Gatlin's coach, Trevor Graham, said he believed someone within Gatlin's camp slipped the sprinter the testosterone without him knowing.

"He's got his own nutritional supplements that he goes out and buys," Graham said. "He will not trust anyone to take anything from him, not his parents, his coach, not anyone."

Although Graham would not identify whom he suspects, he did say it was a supplier who was fired and might be holding a grudge.

"It's someone that's extremely close to us that actually somehow got it in some way," Graham said.

Gatlin had previously tested positive for an amphetamine called Adderall at the 2001 U.S. junior championships. It was contained in prescription medication he had taken for 10 years to treat a form of attention deficit disorder.

The International Association of Athletics Federations gave him early reinstatement from a two-year ban in July 2002.

"That experience made me even more vigilant to make certain that I (do) not come into contact with any banned substance for any reason whatsoever, because any additional anti-doping rule offense could mean a lifetime ban from the sport that I love," said Gatlin.

Gatlin's revelation came just days after the same violation threw Floyd Landis's victory in the Tour de France into question. Landis claims his body's natural metabolism caused the result.

The test on the cyclist measured the ratio of testosterone to epitestosterone in his system and found an imbalance.

Gatlin's test was different. Called a carbon-isotope ratio test, it is essentially a test that looks only at testosterone, not epitestosterone, and can determine whether the testosterone in a person's system is natural or unnatural.

The results of both athletes' tests point to the same type of violation of illegal-substance policy.

The New York Times reported that Gatlin has positive results from both of his samples -- unlike Landis, who is still waiting for results from the second half of his. Next, an independent review board will review the findings. After that, the case could go to arbitration and Gatlin would have the right to appeal the arbitration.

USADA CEO Terry Madden released a statement Saturday that made no mention of Gatlin.

"USADA will not comment on the facts of any active case since the rules we follow allow for a full and fair process prior to the details of any case being made public," Madden said. "Anyone accused of a doping violation has a right to have his or her case determined on the evidence through the established process and not on any other basis."

USA Track and Field, however, acknowledged Gatlin's statement.

"USA Track & Field is gravely concerned that Justin Gatlin has tested positive for banned substances," USATF executive director Craig Masback said in a statement on the federation's Web site. "Justin has been one of the most visible spokespersons for winning with integrity in the sport of track and field, and throughout his career he has made clear his willingness to take responsibility for his actions."

U.S. Olympic Committee CEO Jim Scherr said Gatlin's revelation, on the heels of Gatlin's positive test, "points out how insidious the problem of doing in sport has become."

"While this news is disappointing, it underscores the commitment we have made to protect the integrity of sport through clean competition," Scherr said. "No one, regardless of their stature, is above the system. We understand that Justin has been working with USADA, and would encourage him to continue doing so."