SAN FRANCISCO, July 20 — While national attention has focused on a possible federal indictment of Barry Bonds as early as today, the grand jury in the case is also investigating one of the world’s top track coaches, according to people with knowledge of the proceedings.
The coach, Trevor Graham, set off the Bay Area Laboratory Co-Operative steroids case
when he anonymously mailed a syringe to the United States Anti-Doping Agency in June 2003. Chemists found a new type of steroid in the syringe, prompting the biggest drug scandal in the history of sports.The Balco investigation has led to five criminal convictions, sanctions against 14 track and field athletes, the return of one Olympic medal and the storm of doubt that has followed Mr. Bonds as he approaches the major league career record for home runs.
Mr. Graham is the head coach at Sprint Capitol USA in Raleigh, N.C., and has trained some of the world’s top track and field athletes, including Marion Jones, Tim Montgomery and C. J. Hunter. He is the current coach of Justin Gatlin, who jointly holds the world record in the 100-meter dash.
In a lengthy statement to federal investigators in 2004, Mr. Graham denied setting up any of his athletes with illegal performance-enhancing drugs. While at least six athletes for Mr. Graham have received suspensions for drug use, he has always denied direct knowledge or involvement.
But a man who worked with Mr. Graham has told the grand jury here and federal investigators that he was the main supplier of performance-enhancing drugs to Mr. Graham and many of his athletes, including Ms. Jones and Mr. Montgomery, the onetime holder of the 100-meter world record, according to people with knowledge of the testimony. They spoke on the condition of anonymity because the investigation had not concluded.
http://www.juststeroids.com/content/view/162/40/
