Newz Forum: OLYMPICS: BALCO: Montgomery now focus of investigation, page 1

U.S. doping officials have turned their focus to sprinter Tim Montgomery, meeting with his attorney Wednesday as part of their investigation into the BALCO steroid scandal.

Cristina Arguedas, Montgomery's attorney, was presented with evidence obtained from a federal grand jury investigation into the Bay Area Laboratory Co-Operative.

"We listened to what they had to say. They gave me some documents to look at which I'm reviewing," Arguedas said in a phone interview. "I didn't see anything that looked like it could disqualify someone from running in the Olympics."

U.S. Anti-Doping Agency spokesman Rich Wanninger declined to comment on the meeting, which was first reported by the San Jose Mercury News.

Montgomery, who holds the world record in the 100 meters, is at least the fourth track star to meet with USADA officials in the past month, joining girlfriend Marion Jones, Kelli White and Michelle Collins.

"We're going to fight it. That's our position," Collins' lawyer, Brian Getz, said in Thursday's New York Times. "Michelle Collins has passed every drug test she has ever taken."

White accepted a two-year ban from competition after being confronted with documents alleging her use of steroids, but the other athletes have vowed to fight.

A Senate committee obtained evidence from the grand jury earlier this year and gave it to USADA in hopes of guaranteeing a drug-free U.S. Olympic team in Athens in August. USADA has said it can ban athletes without evidence of a positive drug test if there is sufficient circumstantial evidence.

The Mercury News reported last week that Montgomery was involved with BALCO founder Victor Conte and three others in a plan devised in 2001 to help him set the world record. "Project World Record" called for Montgomery to take the steroid THG, which wasn't identified by drug testers until they got a tip from an unidentified track coach last summer.

The paper said there was also evidence of a training calendar for Montgomery, calling for him to take THG.

Arguedas wouldn't comment on any specific evidence she was given Wednesday.

Jones' lawyers showed The Associated Press a calendar purported to be hers that had codes that could have referred to steroid use. But they denied that calendar was hers and said she never has taken performance-enhancing drugs.

Conte was one of four men indicted earlier this year for their role in an alleged steroid-distribution ring. BALCO vice president James Valente, track coach Remi Korchemny and Barry Bonds' personal trainer, Greg Anderson also were indicted. All have pleaded not guilty.