|
 Dennis Mitchell had told Reuters in February he stepped down from
the position after USATF added a provision that prohibits a person
from being the national relay coach if they coach someone with a
high likelihood of being part of the relay pool.
Gatlin, the world silver medalist at both 100 and 200 meters, is
expected to be a key member of the U.S. men's 4x100m relay team at
the Aug. 5-21 Rio Games.
Mitchell, who served a doping ban in 1999, never submitted an
official resignation, however, and USATF's high performance
executive committee decided in March to delay the effective date of
the change, USATF said on Monday.
"Because Dennis Mitchell was selected as national relay coach and
approved by the USOC (U.S. Olympic Committee) under procedures that
were put in place on September 10, 2014, any new provisions for the
national relay coach policy, if enacted, will take effect late
2016," USATF spokeswoman Jill Geer said in a statement to Reuters.
"As a result of the new timeline, Dennis Mitchell will continue to
serve as national relay coach through the 2016 Olympic Games, as
previously approved by USATF and the USOC."
Mitchell, 50, has been the U.S. relay coach for men and women events
since 2014. His hiring had been controversial because of his 1998
positive test for the banned hormone testosterone.
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"The WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency) code indicates that when an
individual has completed their suspension, they are eligible to
re-engage in the sport, whether serving as an athlete, coach or in
another role," Geer added.
"USATF follows and supports this concept, which is consistent with
the policies of other sports (both professional leagues as well as
and Olympic sports), and with the U.S. legal system."
(Reporting by Gene Cherry in Salvo, North Carolina; Editing by Frank
Pingue)
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