Justin Gatlin facing lifetime ban

Justin Gatlin, 24, faces a lifetime ban from the sport. The positive test after a relay race in Kansas in April is the second in his career.

Gatlin was banned for two years after testing positive for an amphetamine in 2001.

Reports said Gatlin was in shock when he first learned of the positive test in mid-June. He still decided to compete in the US Championships because he did not believe he had done anything wrong, a source said.

Gatlin, who tied Asafa Powell's 100 metres world record of 9.77 seconds, has not run since then.

The IAAF gave him early reinstatement from a two-year ban in July 2002 but said a second violation would lead to a life ban.

"Since the positive test at the University of Tennessee, I have been involved with efforts to educate people about the dangers of using drugs and would never do anything to disappoint my fans and supporters," said Gatlin.

"It is simply not consistent with either my character or my confidence in my God-given athletic ability to cheat in any way."

Gatlin... highs and lows

Born: February 10, 1982; Brooklyn, New York.

¤ Tested positive for an amphetamine at the 2001 US junior championships.

¤ Captured the US and world indoor 60 metres titles in 2003.

¤ Claimed Olympic 100 metres gold medal in 9.85 seconds at the 2004 Athens Games. Finishes third in the 200.

¤ Won the 100 metres title at the 2005 world championships in Helsinki in 9.88 seconds. Led US clean sweep in the 200, winning in 20.04 to become only the second man after compatriot Maurice Greene to complete the double.

¤ Thought he had set the 100 metres world record with a time of 9.76 seconds at a Super Tour meeting in Doha in May 2006.

¤ Five days later the IAAF amended the time to 9.77, equalling the previous mark set by Jamaica's Asafa Powell. The IAAF was informed of an error in the reading of the result by Tissot Timing, the company responsible for timing at the Doha meet.

¤ Gatlin issues a statement on July 29, 2006 saying he has been informed by the United States Anti-doping Agency that he tested positive for the male sex hormone "testosterone or its precursors" after a relay race in Kansas City on April 22.