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SportsJune 29, 2004

SAN FRANCISCO -- Tim Montgomery will go to an international arbitration panel to contest a possible lifetime ban sought by U.S. doping officials. Montgomery's legal team informed the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency of its decision Monday to appeal to the Swiss-based Court of Arbitration for Sport...

By Josh Dubow, The Associated Press

SAN FRANCISCO -- Tim Montgomery will go to an international arbitration panel to contest a possible lifetime ban sought by U.S. doping officials.

Montgomery's legal team informed the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency of its decision Monday to appeal to the Swiss-based Court of Arbitration for Sport.

"We are taking this step because we believe that USADA's conduct ... has been so egregious as to remove any confidence that Tim could be fairly treated in this process," said Montgomery's attorney, Howard Jacobs. "By turning to CAS, we hope that Tim will have the best opportunity to clear his name in a fair and impartial proceeding."

A decision by CAS' international arbitrators is final and can't be appealed.

Montgomery was one of four sprinters who received a letter last week informing them that USADA was seeking a lifetime ban. The others were Michelle Collins, the 2003 world indoor champion at 200 meters; Alvin Harrison, the 2000 Olympic 400-meter silver medalist; and Chryste Gaines, a two-time Olympic relay medalist.

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An attorney for Collins said last week that he would seek an arbitration hearing.

Harrison's legal team asked last Friday for arbitration under USA Track & Field rules, generally perceived to be more favorable to athletes, instead of USADA's.

Harrison's attorney, Edward Williams, tried a similar tactic with track standout Regina Jacobs, who tested positive for the steroid THG last year. Her lawsuit seeking to excuse her from USADA's adjudication process is tied up in federal court.

Williams also asked the U.S. Olympic Committee to investigate Harrison's case and clear him for competition in the Olympics.

Williams said USADA's letter indicated the agency was seeking a lifetime ban because of Harrison's "involvement" with certain prohibited substances and unidentified "prohibited techniques."

It's the first time the agency has filed charges against an athlete who has not failed or refused to take a drug test.

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