WASHINGTON, Aug 4: Trevor Graham, the controversial coach of sprinter Justin Gatlin, will not be allowed to use US Olympic facilities because of his record of mentoring athletes who have used performance-enhancing drugs.

“We are today notifying Trevor Graham in writing that he is prohibited from using any of our training centres or training sites,” US Olympic Committee Chairman Peter Ueberroth told a teleconference on Thursday.

Ueberroth said the move was “based on the unusual number of athletes he has coached who have been convicted of doping offences.”

Gatlin, the Olympic and world 100 metres champion, said on Saturday he had tested positive for testosterone but denied any wrongdoing. He is the joint world record holder for 100 metres with Jamaican Asafa Powell.

The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) has said it would monitor Gatlin's case and if the US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) procedure confirmed the violation

Gatlin would receive a life ban.

Graham has denied any knowledge of doping by his athletes, although six of them have served drug suspensions.

The IAAF has said it would consider barring Graham from the sport for two years if evidence was found that he was involved in doping.

Responding to USOC's move on Thursday, USA Track & Field spokeswoman Jill Geer said in a statement: “USATF shares the USOC's concern over the influence coaches, trainers, managers and others might have over athletes who cheat.

Earlier on Thursday organisers of Berlin's lucrative Golden League event said athletes trained by Graham would not be invited to the Sept 3 meeting.—Reuters