Athletics: There was an almost audible collective sigh of relief from USA Track and Field and Olympic governing bodies after Tim Montgomery failed to make the cut for the 100 metres and Michelle Collins withdrew from her 400 metres qualifier at the US trials.

According to her coach, George Williams, who also doubles as coach of the US team, Collins returned to Texas after she suffered a hamstring injury in practice on Sunday. Few officials will be shedding tears.

"She is not running," Williams said. "She called today from Texas to say she had hurt herself at the warm-up track and had left."

Collins, Montgomery, Chryste Gaines and Alvin Harrison face life-time bans for what the United States Anti-Doping Agency is calling "non-analytical positives".

The allegations are the product of evidence from a criminal investigation into the Bay Area Laboratory Co-operative. All deny taking drugs. Montgomery and Gaines have taken their cases to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Two other athletes still cradling Olympic hopes and facing suspensions, Regina Jacobs and Calvin Harrison, have already tested positive and are awaiting their appeals.

Montgomery, who holds the world record of 9.78 seconds in the 100 metres, finished a disappointing seventh in the final on Sunday night with a time of 10.13 seconds.

The race was won by Maurice Greene in 9.91 ahead of Justin Gatlin and Shawn Crawford, with all three qualifying for Athens.

The USA Track and Field chief executive officer Craig Masback had a smile on his face as he talked to reporters after the final, featuring a field he called "the best ever".

As cameramen and journalists followed Montgomery out of the stadium after the race, the athlete turned his frustration on the media.

"This is the reason I didn't win: I've got y'all on my back," Montgomery said. "I have to deal with y'all every day. Nobody thought I'd make the finals but I did."

Greene was predictably cock-a-hoop.

"One down, one to go," he said. "I have to go and win in Athens now. That's my goal. It's all about the G.O.A.T," he added, referring to the acronym tattooed on his arm that stands for "Greatest Of All Time".

Jacobs, who tested positive for the designer steroid THG at last year's US Championships, is entered in the 1,500 metres but it is doubtful that she will run.

The twins Calvin and Alvin Harrison advanced to the semi-finals of the 400 metres that were due to be run last night.

Joining the Harrisons in the semi-finals was the world champion Jerome Young, who recently had his 2000 Olympic relay gold medal taken away because of a failed drug test in 1999.

Marion Jones, Montgomery's girlfriend and the Olympic 100 metres champion, failed to make the cut for Athens in the 100 metres over the weekend but was due to take part in the long jump last night.

Although part of the Balco investigation she has not been charged with any drug offences and has denied taking drugs.

Gaines also failed to gain a place in the 100-metre team.

After her poor showing on Saturday Jones followed a beefy bodyguard off the track to a golf cart that took her away.

"I talk to you guys and you say something negative," she said. "I don't talk to you guys and you say something negative.

"I'd much rather not talk and spend time with my son."

Guardian Service