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 An independent arbitration panel found that Jon Drummond
possessed, trafficked, and administered banned performance enhancing
substances to an athlete under his care as a coach, USADA said on
its website.
The former Olympic relay gold medalist and Olympic coach was Gay's
coach when the former world champion tested positive in 2013 for a
banned substance, according to the arbitration panel decision.
Gay, the U.S. record holder at 100 meters, was suspended for one
year in May. He returned the silver medal he won with the U.S. 4x100
meters relay team at the London Olympics and was disqualified from
all races he contested from July 2012.
His ban was reduced as the result of testimony he provided to USADA
and he has since returned to competition.
"A coach cannot lead an athlete to into the danger of using
prohibited substances. . . . A coach must be a watchdog when it
comes to prohibited substances," the arbitration panel said.
The suspension bans Drummond, 46, from coaching, training or
advising athletes and participating or coaching at any event
sanctioned by USA Track & Field and the International Association of
Athletics Federations.
Attempts to contact Drummond and his lawyer went unanswered.
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Drummond was the U.S. relay coach at the London Olympics and the
recent chairman of the USA Track & Field Athletes Advisory Council.
He began coaching Gay in 2007, according to court documents.
Drummond earlier this year sued Gay and USADA for defamation,
claiming Gay had made false statements about him and that USADA had
republished and endorsed them.
A U.S. judge stayed the lawsuit, saying the matter should be settled
in arbitration, not federal court.
(Reporting by Gene Cherry in Salvo, North Carolina; Editing by Frank
Pingue)
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