Date Set in USOC Drug-Test Trial

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AUGUST 05, 14:30 ET

DENVER (AP) — The U.S. Olympic Committee and its former director of drug control programs will go to trial April 14, after both sides agreed Monday that an out-of-court settlement is unlikely.

Judge Patricia Coan set the trial date Monday. Judge Robert Blackburn will preside over the trial.

Dr. Wade Exum is suing USOC leaders, claiming they hampered his anti-drug battle and denied him promotions because he is black.

Exum, the director of the USOC's Drug Control Administration for nine years before resigning in June 2000, claimed the USOC, in its quest to win medals, evaded its responsibility to discipline athletes for using banned substances. He also maintained that half of all athletes who tested positive for drugs were not punished.

The USOC has denied the allegations, and lawyers for the organization unsuccessfully tried to have the drug-test records sealed.

Exum has said he might release the files showing that U.S. athletes tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs but weren't punished.

Elizabeth Kelly, one of Exum's lawyers, declined to say whether the he still plans to release the files.

Exum could not be reached for comment.

Coan said she could schedule a conference if lawyers thought an out-of-court settlement could be reached. Lawyers for both sides said that wasn't likely.

``It is our understanding that any more settlement conferences would not be helpful,'' Kelly said.

USOC lawyer Bill Wright said he agreed.