Fight Against Doping -- Gatlin Close to Settlement; Gold Medalist Accused of Doping

Justin Gatlin may be close to finalizing an out-of-court agreement in regards to his doping cases. (Getty Images)Gold Medalist Gatlin Close to Agreement

Justin Gatlin, the former Olympic champion in the 100m and former world record holder in the event is close to finalizing an out-of-court agreement with the four bodies he says discriminated against him in his doping case, the Associated Press reported on Wednesday.

Gatlin claims his first two failed drug tests were the result of prescribed medicine for Attention Deficit Disorder. As such, the U.S Anti-Doping Agency, USOC, USA Track and Field and International Association of Athletics Federations were violating the Americans with Disabilities Act.

"The settlement documents are not final," Gatlin's lawyer, Joe Zarzaur told the Associated Press.

Gatlin failed a third drug test before the Beijing Olympics which kept him from defending his title. He claims his first two offenses ought not to have been considered because he suffers from ADD. He took the matter to the Court of Arbitration for Sport which rejected his claim. Gatlin was not deterred and he filed a case within the U.S. court system.

Both USADA and the USOC say they will not agree to any decision that usurps CAS’ ruling, but they did acknowledge they are talking to Gatlin.

"The parties are actively engaged in discussions regarding a final, formal, out-of-court resolution of this matter, which we believe may soon be reached," USOC spokesman Daryl Seibel told the AP.

2004 Gold Medalist in Race WalkingAthanasia Tsoumeleka was charged with possession of an illegal substance when she failed a drug test in January. (Getty Images) Accused of Doping

Athanasia Tsoumeleka, the Greek who won the women’s 20km race walk at the Athens Olympics has been accused of doping.

Tsoumeleka, 27, failed a drug test before the Beijing Olympics, testing positive for CERA, a version of EPO. She finished ninth at the Games.

Under Greek law, possession of the drug is illegal and she could face a two-year sentence in prison.

Prosecutor Costas Simitzoglou is charging her with possession from a January offense when she failed a drug test. She said she didn’t dope and doubted the tests findings. However she also announced her immediate retirement when she learned of the failed drug test.

The Greek athletics federation banned her from competition for two years.

14 Greek athletes tested positive for EPO before the Beijing Olympics.

Athens to Host EU Doping Conference

Athens will host the first European Union conference on the fight against doping in sports, May 13-15.

The conference, organized by the Greek capital, European Commission and the Commission’s Sport Union, is a component of the white paper on sport which addresses the important social and economic parts of sport.

The World Anti-Doping Agency, 27 national anti-doping organizations, the IOC, representatives of international sporting bodies, scientists, sports coaches and athletes will attend the conference.

Written by Ed Hula III.