Graham's exposing of Balco ultimately led to his own downfall

The US Anti-Doping Agency has confirmed a life ban on former elite coach Trevor Graham for breaking anti-drugs rules.

Graham is the ex-trainer of disgraced American sprinters Marion Jones, Tim Montgomery and Justin Gatlin.

The global ban follows his conviction in May of lying to federal agents over the Bay Area Laboratory Co-operative (Balco) doping scandal.

"It sends a powerful reminder that coaches are not above the rules," said Usada chief executive Travis Tygart.

"There's a misconception that they are because we don't drug-test them, but this shows that we'll use all of our authority."

Graham sparked the Balco scandal when he anonymously sent a syringe containing the previously undetectable steroid tetrahydrogestrinone (THG) to Usada in 2003.

The scandal affected athletics, baseball and American football and led to the jailing of Balco founder Victor Conte.

More than a dozen athletes have been suspended or disciplined in the fall-out.

Graham was banned from the use of US Olympic Committee facilities after a number of his athletes were suspended for doping violations.

The Jamaican had been under investigation by Usada prior to his court conviction.

Graham withdrew his request for an arbitration hearing on Usada charges after his court conviction, Usada said.

"There's no opportunity to seek reinstatement," added Tygart. "Any chance that he may have had for that has passed. He's waived that."