The USADA has sought a lifetime ban against Drummond in connection with accusations he supplied Gay with performance-enhancing drugs. It has called Drummond's lawsuit a "baseless" effort to circumvent a mandatory arbitration process.
U.S. District Court Judge Reed O'Connor in Fort Worth on Wednesday said there was no question that anti-doping violations would be heard by an arbitrator, but it was unclear whether the defamation issues Drummond raised also should be heard in arbitration, court documents showed.
O'Connor issued a stay and said it would be up to an arbitrator to determine whether the defamation claims fall under the scope of anti-doping violations covered by arbitration.
Drummond, who coached Gay from 2007 to September 2012, is already arbitrating the agency's attempts to impose a lifetime ban.
Gay, the gold medal winner in the 100 and 200 metres and 4x100 metres relay at the Osaka world championships in 2007, tested positive in 2013 for a banned anabolic steroid.
He admitted his offence and co-operated with investigators and was handed a one-year ban in May, which was back-dated to June 23, 2013. Gay returned to competition in July.
Representatives of Gay and Drummond could not be reached immediately for comment.
USADA spokeswoman Annie Skinner said on Thursday arbitration was the appropriate place to address Drummond's case.
"No matter how famous or anonymous, each alleged offender is provided full due process, and any decisions regarding potential sanctions will ultimately be determined by independent arbitrators after a complete review of the evidence and testimony," Skinner said in a statement.
(Reporting by David Bailey in Minneapolis)
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