Gatlin expects to clear name

August World and Olympic 100m champion Justin Gatlin expects to be cleared of doping charges despite facing a lifetime ban following a second positive drugs test.

Gatlin produced a positive test at the Kansas Relays in April, his second failed drugs test after amphetamines were found in his samples at the USA Junior Championships five years ago.

Although global governing body, the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), later accepted he was using the medication to treat Attention Deficit Disorder, it was still registered as a first offence and under the two-strikes rule, Gatlin faces being thrown out of the sport for good.

Under the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) code a second ban should constitute a lifetime ban unless the athlete can produce a compelling reason to have it reduced.

Earlier this week the United States Anti-Doping Agency announced they were to ban Gatlin for up to eight years in exchange for him “providing information that may assist in USADA’s anti-doping efforts".

However, the Brooklyn-born athlete will soon be filing for his case to go to an arbitration panel despite accepting his positive test in Kansas constituted a “doping violation".

Gatlin said in a statement on BBC Sport Online: “I have put my faith in a system that I believe will clear my name and that I believe will allow me to compete again.”

The joint world record holder maintained he did not know how the banned substance entered his body.

“I have never knowingly used any banned substance, nor have I allowed anyone to administer one to me,” Gatlin continued.

“Cheating, in any form, is completely contrary to who I am as an athlete and a person. I expect when that process is concluded that this entire matter will be resolved favourably.”

Gatlin has already had his contract with Nike suspended, as has his coach Trevor Graham – who is under investigation by USADA and the IAAF.