BALCO Grand Jury Turns Sights on Graham, By: David Kravets

11-01-06

Track coach Trevor Graham, who helped launch a three-year federal probe of steroid use by elite athletes, is expected to be charged here as soon as Thursday with obstructing the investigation, two people with knowledge of the investigation told The Associated Press.

Speaking on condition of anonymity because the charges had not been made public, the Justice Department officials said Graham would be charged with making false statements to authorities investigating steroid use in sports.

Graham operates Raleigh-based Sprint Capitol USA, a team of about 10 athletes that includes 100-meter co-world record holder Justin Gatlin, who tested positive for testosterone and other steroids in April.

He also coached sprinter Marion Jones, who won five medals at the 2000 Sydney Games with him, and her former boyfriend Tim Montgomery, who was suspended from competition for two years, although he never tested positive for a banned substance.

Associated Press Writer Lara Jakes Jordan in Washington contributed to this report.