Gatlin blocked to compete in U.S. Olympic athletics trials

WASHINGTON, June 24 (Xinhua) -- Banned Olympic 100m champion Justin Gatlin was blocked by a U.S. federal judge on Tuesday to compete in this week's U.S. beijing2008.cn/cptvenues/sports/athletics/index.shtml' target=_blank>athletics trials for the Beijing Olympic Games.

Judge Lacey Collier dissolved a 10-day restraining order that would have allowed the 26-year-old to take part in the trials in Eugene, Oregon, starting on Friday.

He also denied Gatlin's request for a preliminary injunction in the case.

"As courts have indeed held, issues regarding whether an athlete is eligible to participate in the Olympic Games or any of its qualifying events are reserved solely for the USOC (United States Olympic Committee), and the courts have no jurisdiction to entertain a private right of action that might impinge upon an eligibility determination," Collier wrote in his ruling.

Gatlin was suspended for four years after a 2006 positive test for the male sex hormone testosterone. The sprinter also tested positive in 2001 for amphetamines.