ATHLETICS Panorama: Coleman doping hearing coming September 4; Duplantis clears 6.00 m vs. Finland

Is Christian Coleman (USA) still the world's fastest man?

American sprinter Christian Coleman, the world leader in the 100 m and favorite in the upcoming IAAF World Championships, will have a hearing on September 4 on charges that he missed three “whereabouts” filings during a 12-month period and should be suspended.

During the NBC Olympic Channel broadcast of the IAAF Diamond League Meeting de Paris meet, analyst Ato Boldon said he spoke to Coleman and his comments were shown on the screen:

“I’m not a guy who takes any supplements at all, so I’m never concerned about taking drug tests, at any time. What has been widely reported concerning filing violations is simply not true. I am confident the upcoming hearing on September 4th will clear the matter and I will compete at World Championships in Doha this fall. Sometime after the hearing, I will be free to answer questions about the matter, but for now I must reserve and respect the process.”

The U.S. Anti-Doping Agency later released its own statement:

“Under the World Anti-Doping Code three whereabouts failures within a 12-month period may be considered an anti-doping rule violation.

“Two of the three test attempts on Mr. Coleman were USADA directed and one of the attempts was initiated by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU). Given this, the case is proceeding under the USADA Protocol but we are working closely with the AIU on this matter. We have expedited the case under the USADA rules and Mr. Coleman has agreed to have the three-person independent American Arbitration Association/North American Court of Arbitration for Sport (AAA/CAS) arbitration panel hear the case on September 4 and issue its decision by the end of the following day, well before the IAAF World Championships.”

So the matter will be decided quickly. In the meantime, Coleman is the co-leader in the Diamond League points race in the 100 m and – since he has not been suspended – he is eligible to run on Thursday in the Diamond League final in Zurich (SUI), with $50,000 to the winner.

Will he?

The Meeting de Paris wasn’t the only meet happening on Saturday, Elsewhere:

● In the annual Sweden vs. Finland dual meet, this year in Stockholm, Mondo Duplantis (SWE) cleared 6.00 m (19-8 1/4) to win the pole vault and Daniel Stahl (SWE) unleashed a 69.42 m (227-9) winner in the discus. Sweden won both the men’s (228-181) and women’s (217.5-192.5) meets.

● On the first day of the British Championships in Birmingham, Dina Asher-Smith won the 100 m in an impressive 10.96, into a headwind of 0.9 m/s. Cindy Ofili won the women’s 100 m hurdles in 13.09, again into a headwind, of 1.6 m/s.

The British Champs continue on Sunday.

More from Paris:

Noah Lyles said his superb 19.65 in Paris was all a blur to him, but that even more might be coming:

“I’m coming off a loaded week in training so that gives me a lot of confidence. It felt fast. I blinked and all of a sudden the race was over. I’ve been putting in some great training sessions but it’s always different when you’re over here in Europe, it’s like a hiccup to overcome in itself with the travel.

“When I was coming off the turn it felt like such a fast track, the fastest I’ve ever felt coming off the turn.”

● Women’s 800 m winner Hanna Green was elated with her late charge to a victory in 1:58.39:

“It’s just my second Diamond League and my first win so it’s great. We went out quick which I was worried about but I tried not to freak out. Just be patient and work my way up. I felt really good and I still think I have a little more to work on to get ready for Worlds. I’d like to get into the final there and hopefully get on the podium.

“The big thing for me this year is just not being injured, I’ve been able to get through all the big workouts and because of that I’ve brought a lot more confidence into races.”

● The news about Duplantis spread quickly. Said Sam Kendricks after his 6.00 m (19-8 1/4) win:

“It was a very special evening and it’s good to put my name in the books with a meeting record. During the competition everyone kept telling me that Mondo Duplantis had jumped six meters in Sweden so tonight, I wasn’t just competing against everyone here but people all around the world. It’s a very special time in our event.

“Right now there’s such competition in the pole vault that there’s no guarantee in any race. It might take 6.05 m to win the Diamond League final. It will be a crazy night, to say the least.”

● Hurdler Daniel Roberts took his 13.08 in in the 110 m hurdles in stride:

“I hit a couple of hurdles but other than that it was a good, clean race. In Doha my aim will be the gold, that’s always the goal, no tying, nothing else, just go out and try get first place. I don’t want to go for any less.

“It hasn’t been too hard for me to stay at a high level this long after NCAAs, a lot of people tell me after long seasons they feel it a little bit more but my body feels great, everything feels good and I’m just thankful to be here.

“It’s all brand new and I’m not trying to put too much pressure on myself coming out of the college season. It’s an amazing crowd, an amazing stadium and it’s all great. I love the pro life, it’s all I ever dreamed about.”

At Friday’s news conference ahead of the Meeting de Paris, Grant Holloway spoke in advance of his first Diamond League meet. Of note:

● “Why did I give up American Football? Because I want to walk when I’m 30.”

● “I trust my coach. I trust my training. I was able to peak at NCAAs and I’ll be able to peak again in October.”

Holloway, running his first race since the USATF Nationals, led the race through the first seven hurdles, then faded and finished sixth in 13.25.