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World record-holder Montgomery appears before grand jury
San Francisco (USA), Nov 07: The world`s fastest man Tim Montgomery appeared yesterday before a grand jury investigating a lab that supplies some top athletes with nutritional supplements.
San Francisco (USA), Nov 07: The world's fastest man
Tim Montgomery appeared yesterday before a grand jury
investigating a lab that supplies some top athletes with
nutritional supplements.
Federal officials have refused to discuss the scope of
the grand jury's proceedings. Two sources familiar with the
probe told the press this week that the grand
jury is focusing on drug use by athletes as well as possible
tax evasion by the lab, BALCO.
Montgomery, the world record-holder at 100 meters, was among the latest track and field star to appear before the panel. US sprinter Chryste Gaines, a 1996 olympic relay gold medallist, also appeared before the grand jury yesterday, and US shot putter Kevin Toth and 1,500-meter runner Regina Jacobs were among those who testified last week.
Dozens of other athletes, including major league baseball's Barry Bonds and Jason Giambi, boxer Shane Mosley and several NFL players, also have been subpoenaed. All have been customers of the Bay Area Laboratory Co-operative. An attorney for BALCO founder Victor Conte has said his client is the target of the grand jury probe.
Montgomery, 28, who set the world record of 9.78 seconds in 2002 and is the boyfriend of olympic sprinting champion Marion Jones, did not comment. His agent, Charlie Wells, also declined to comment.
Gaines, 33, who ran the two fastest 100 times of her career in the last few months, also declined to comment after her afternoon appearance.
An appearance before the grand jury, or being subpoenaed to testify, does not mean an athlete is a target of the probe.
BALCO is at the center of an investigation by anti-doping agencies into the newly discovered steroid 'THG'. An unidentified coach who turned in a syringe containing 'THG' said he got the substance from Conte, a charge he denies.
At least five athletes already have tested positive for 'THG', including Jacobs, Toth and European sprinter Dwain Chambers. Douglas Schwartz, an attorney representing Jacobs, Gaines and other athletes subpoenaed, said the athletes are not targets of the probe.
Schwartz also contended athletes did not break any laws if they used 'THG'. The US Food and drug administration declared 'THG' an illegal drug last month. Prosecutors and lawyers disagree whether it was illegal before then. Bureau Report
Montgomery, the world record-holder at 100 meters, was among the latest track and field star to appear before the panel. US sprinter Chryste Gaines, a 1996 olympic relay gold medallist, also appeared before the grand jury yesterday, and US shot putter Kevin Toth and 1,500-meter runner Regina Jacobs were among those who testified last week.
Dozens of other athletes, including major league baseball's Barry Bonds and Jason Giambi, boxer Shane Mosley and several NFL players, also have been subpoenaed. All have been customers of the Bay Area Laboratory Co-operative. An attorney for BALCO founder Victor Conte has said his client is the target of the grand jury probe.
Montgomery, 28, who set the world record of 9.78 seconds in 2002 and is the boyfriend of olympic sprinting champion Marion Jones, did not comment. His agent, Charlie Wells, also declined to comment.
Gaines, 33, who ran the two fastest 100 times of her career in the last few months, also declined to comment after her afternoon appearance.
An appearance before the grand jury, or being subpoenaed to testify, does not mean an athlete is a target of the probe.
BALCO is at the center of an investigation by anti-doping agencies into the newly discovered steroid 'THG'. An unidentified coach who turned in a syringe containing 'THG' said he got the substance from Conte, a charge he denies.
At least five athletes already have tested positive for 'THG', including Jacobs, Toth and European sprinter Dwain Chambers. Douglas Schwartz, an attorney representing Jacobs, Gaines and other athletes subpoenaed, said the athletes are not targets of the probe.
Schwartz also contended athletes did not break any laws if they used 'THG'. The US Food and drug administration declared 'THG' an illegal drug last month. Prosecutors and lawyers disagree whether it was illegal before then. Bureau Report