RALEIGH, North Carolina - Olympic 100 metres gold medallist Justin Gatlin has requested an arbitration hearing on doping charges against him, a U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) official said on Thursday.

Justin Gatlin of the U.S. celebrates after setting a new 100 metres world record at the Qatar Super Grand Prix, with a time of 9.76 seconds, in Doha May 12, 2006. [Reuters]

Gatlin, through his lawyer, requested the hearing ahead of Friday's request deadline, Travis Tygart, USADA's senior managing director and general counsel, told Reuters in a telephone interview.

"When Justin Gatlin accepted a positive test and a doping offence, part of the agreement was that he had the right, if he chose, to challenge only the eight-year suspension," Tygart said from Washington, D.C.

"He has given his intent to USADA before Friday's deadline that he intends to do that through the established arbitration process."

Gatlin, now 25, is facing a ban of up to eight years unless cleared by an arbitration panel.

He tested positive for the male sex hormone testosterone and its precursors at a Kansas relay meeting in April.

The 100 and 200 metres world champion and 100 metres co-world record holder has denied knowingly using any banned substance and predicted in a statement last year he would be cleared and allowed to compete again.

Tygart said he was able to comment about the specifics of the case because of an agreement with Gatlin. The agency does not generally comment about ongoing cases.