Runners stay focused after Gatlin ordeal.

Byline: Rob Moseley The Register-Guard

ROAD TO EUGENE '08

Two winners at Tuesday night's Road to Eugene '08 meet at Hayward Field had more than fast times on their minds.

Me'Lisa Barber, who ran the 200 meters in 22.92 seconds, and Shawn Crawford, winner of the 100 in 10.15, are each coached by Trevor Graham. The embattled mentor of Justin Gatlin, the co-world record-holder in the 100 who recently failed a doping test, Graham has been barred from U.S. Olympic Committee training facilities in the wake of several positive drug tests by his athletes in recent years.

On Tuesday, Graham's lawyer said the coach passed a lie-detector test when he denied giving performance-enhancing drugs to his athletes, The Associated Press reported. The lawyer, Joe Zeszotarski, said that should be grounds for reversing Graham's USOC ban.

Barber said Graham didn't attend Tuesday's meet, but the turmoil surrounding his and Gatlin's situation lingered in the minds of Barber and Crawford, despite their best efforts.

"Right now I just wanted to come out here, focus on this race and get ready for the European circuit," Barber said. "I'm trying not to let anything bother me, because I have a lot more races to go through. ...

"Of course it's difficult, but it's nothing I can't work through."

Barber had previously said she might consider switching coaches after the season, which she reiterated Tuesday. Crawford, the 2004 Olympic champion at 200 meters, said he might do the same.

"I think about it, but I'm just going to wait until the end and see how everything plays out," he said. "Trevor's been there for me, so I'm going to continue to stay there until everything pans out and see all the facts, and then I'll make my decision based on how the outcome is."

Complicating the situation for Crawford is that he and Gatlin have been training partners and are close friends.

"Yeah, it's pretty hard," Crawford said. "But I've been supporting him. I try to give him all the positive support that I can and let him know I'm going to be in his corner through thick and thin. That's what friends are for."

Crawford said he and Gatlin spoke on the phone shortly after the revelation that Gatlin had failed the drug test hit the news. Since then their communication has been limited to cell phone text messages.

"It's been hectic, a little troublesome," Crawford said of focusing on his training despite the turmoil. "But I was able to stay focused and concentrate on what I had to do, because it's not my situation. I'm in the situation by association, but other than that I have to keep on training and prepare myself for the second half of this European season we have coming up."

Some other athletes were loath to speak about Gatlin's situation specifically. Both Joanna Hayes, the 2004 Olympic champion in the 100 hurdles, and Darold Williamson, a member of the reigning 4x400 relay Olympic champions, said they had been advised not to do so.

While the athletes tried to ignore the situation, some fans who might have otherwise attended Tuesday's meet probably weren't able to ignore the scandal, speculated Craig Masback, chief executive officer of USA Track & Field.

"I have no doubt that the Gatlin positive hurt (the attendance)," said Masback, who added that he was pleased with the turnout of 5,962. "On the other hand, we were able to build up crowds and sponsorships before BALCO, during BALCO and after BALCO.

"I think track fans are familiar with the fact that we're testing our athletes 24-7, 365. They understand that people are going to test positive. As serious as this is, they can separate the one person from the bulk of the athletes.

"I'm not saying it's only one person, or that we don't have a long way to go. I'm not saying it's not a grave situation. I've made it clear that it is. But the vast majority of athletes who are out here are doing it the right way, and the people who are out here (watching) are here to show their appreciation for those athletes, and they're having a great time."

Allen Johnson, the four-time world champ in the 110 hurdles who was second in the event Tuesday, was also pleased with the meet's attendance.

"Look at the fans; look how many people showed up here," he said. "It doesn't look like we're hurting to me."

Johnson said he was surprised at the news of Gatlin's positive test, but said it "proves that nobody's above the drug-testing system."

Positive drug tests are the product of an effective drug-testing program, Johnson said, and are to be expected.

"I have no reason to be embarrassed, and I think that there's no athlete that should be embarrassed," he said. "USA Track & Field should not be embarrassed. When you test people, you're going to have some positives. That's just how it is."

Johnson said track and field will endure the scandal involving Gatlin and Graham, just as it has similar situations in the past.

"I understand (the media) have to do your job, but I think that's the thing that you guys want to write the most about," Johnson told reporters. "But there are so, so many great stories in this sport, and the true fans know that. That's why they continue to come out, and they always will."