Nike suspends Gatlin's contract

NEW YORK (AP) _ Already banned from US Olympic Committee training sites, Justin Gatlin's coach isn't welcome at Nike headquarters, either. <br/><br/>Nike spokesman Dean Stoyer says the shoe company

Friday, August 25th 2006, 2:20 pm

By: News On 6

NEW YORK (AP) _ Already banned from US Olympic Committee training sites, Justin Gatlin's coach isn't welcome at Nike headquarters, either.

Nike spokesman Dean Stoyer says the shoe company has terminated its contract with Trevor Graham and suspended its contract with Gatlin until further notice.

Stoyer says Gatlin will NOT receive payment while the contract is suspended. Gatlin, the co-world record holder in the 100 meters, tested positive for testosterone and other steroids at the Kansas Relays on April 22nd.

This week, the US Anti-Doping Agency issued a ban for a maximum of eight years. But Gatlin can reduce the ban substantially by cooperating with investigators.

Gatlin said today: Cheating, in any form, is completely contrary to who I am as an athlete and a person.

Graham operates Raleigh-based Sprint Capitol USA, a team of about ten athletes that includes Gatlin.