Therapist Denies Role In Gatlin Case

Justin Gatlin of the United States competes in the Men's 100-meter event at the Qatar Grand Prix in Doha, Qatar in this Friday May 12, 2006 file photo. Gatlin seized a share of the 100m world record when he tied Jamaican Asafa Powell's world mark of 9.77 seconds with this run in Qatar. Reigning Olympic and world 100-meter champion Justin Gatlin said on Saturday, July 29, 2006 he was informed he tested positive for testosterone or its precursors. (AP)

An Oregon massage therapist who worked with Olympian Marion Jones and other elite athletes denied using a cream containing testosterone on sprinter Justin Gatlin .

Christopher Whetstine , who is under contract to Nike, was drawn into the Gatlin doping scandal by the sprinter's coach, Trevor Graham .

Gatlin faces a lifetime ban after failing a drug test in April following a track meet in Lawrence, Kan.

Graham has contended Gatlin tested positive after a vengeful massage therapist used testosterone cream on the runner without his knowledge. In an Italian newspaper, Graham identified the massage therapist as Whetstine, who has a private practice in Eugene.

"Trevor Graham is not speaking on behalf of Justin Gatlin, and the statement about me is not true," Whetstine said yesterday in a statement read over the phone by his attorney, Elizabeth Baker . "I have fully cooperated with the investigation into this matter."

Baker said Whetstine denies using a banned substance on Gatlin or "any other athlete."

Gatlin, the co-world record holder in the 100 meters, acknowledged last weekend that the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency informed him of a test indicating he had used testosterone or other steroids after a relay race in Kansas in April. Gatlin has said he didn't know how steroids got into his system.

· CYCLING: The attorney for Floyd Landis criticized the International Cycling Union for leaking the results of the Tour de France winner's positive "A" sample drug test, saying it breached the organization's own rules.

Results of the second or "B" sample are expected to be released Saturday, and until they are completed "it should be strongly noted that there is not even a formal doping charge that has been filed against Mr. Landis," attorney Howard Ja cobs said.

· COLLEGE FOOTBALL: Oklahoma quarterback Rhett Bomar will not play for the Sooners this season following an investigation by the team, according to a television report.