ATHLETICS: The website is colourful, snappy and devoted to speed. "How fast is F.A.S.T?," it asks. "By using the Francis Advanced Speed Training programme, incredible results have been achieved. See for yourself.

"You want to improve. Now what are you going to do about it? Make it happen from the world leader and man who produced 23 world records."

The man in question is Canadian Charlie Francis, banned for life by Athletics Canada after his role in coaching Ben Johnson. Johnson was stripped of the gold medal and his world record of 9.79 seconds was disallowed when he tested positive for steroids after the 100 metres Olympic final in Seoul in 1998.

Francis and his website, Charlie.Francis.com, which has a picture of Johnson beating Carl Lewis to the line in Seoul, would be of curiosity value only, were it not for revelations that he is now being associated with the only man to run faster than the Jamaican-born Canadian.

American Tim Montgomery, who clocked 9.78 seconds at the Paris grand prix final last September, has been photographed with his companion and triple Olympic champion Marion Jones in company with Francis at a Toronto track.

Montgomery and Jones have split from their long-time coach Trevor Graham and joined Canadian Derek Hansen. Hansen is also pictured in the Reuters photograph.

Francis has refused to comment on reports that he is coaching Montgomery and Jones, saying he never spoke about anybody he coached in any sport.

Track and field has never recovered from the Johnson affair. The following year the Canadian government set up the Dubin inquiry, where the evidence of Francis and Johnson's doctor Jamie Astaphan was devastating.

They said Johnson had been taking drugs since 1981, including anabolic steroids, testosterone, and diuretics, plus human growth hormone. Francis also testified that two other sprinters he coached, Angella Issajenko and Desai Williams, had been on drug regimes.