Organisers of events in Bergen and Stockholm said the couple, two of the biggest draws in the sport, could be ostracised by other meetings or lose some of their appearance money.

Svein Are Hansen, who runs the Bislett Games next month, and Rajne Soderberg, of the DN Galan, Stockholm event in July, say they would not want the U.S. pair to participate in their meets if persistent rumours surrounding them are not quashed in the meantime.

"If they were Norwegian I think it would be the best thing if they were suspended until it was sorted," Hansen said. "But I understand why it's a problem with the U.S. legal system -- they could sue."

Soderberg echoed Hansen's view, adding: "I still don't understand how you can go on competing during these things."

Hansen emphasised that Montgomery, 100 metres world record holder, and triple gold medallist Jones had never been slated to run in Bergen and she was unavailable several months ago when he inquired.

"But hypothetically, if asked today (about Jones), I would have said no in today's situation because I don't want the meeting in Bergen in two weeks' today to be anything about doping. We've got a great meeting," he said.

"That (doping) is all we would have been talking about if she was there."

ALLEGATIONS BROKE

Soderberg had expected Montgomery to run in Stockholm shortly before the Olympics begin on August 13 and was also hopeful of signing Jones.

"I was counting on it," he said but had been forced to put his plans on hold after the allegations broke.

He said he would shortly be speaking to their representatives but, like Hansen, did not want either there if they had not been cleared by then.

"Your questions should be more directed to the IAAF or the American federation -- why they allow her to compete during this investigation which I think is more of a problem," he said.

"Kelli White (a world champion sprinter), for example, was allowed to compete in Doha and then a few days later announced that she was guilty and agreed that she had taken banned substances."

Montgomery and his partner Jones are being investigated over alleged links with the BALCO laboratory in the Bay Area of California whose owner Victor Conte has been indicted on suspicion of developing the new steroid THG and distributing it and other drugs to athletes.

The U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA), which is spearheading the investigation into the couple and a number of other U.S. Olympic hopefuls, has yet to make any findings against the pair public.

Jones's lawyers this week challenged USADA to produce its evidence against her or clear her and leaked secret BALCO training and nutritional diaries which they say is the sum of their case against her.

Jones and Montgomery, who have never tested positive for a banned substance during their careers, have consistently denied any wrongdoing. Their lawyer confirmed to Reuters on Friday that they had never planned to compete in Norway.

The Bislett Games take place on June 11 in Bergen and the DN Galan Games in Stockholm on July 27.