BEIJING (AFP) — The International Olympic Committee said Saturday it has stripped the United States' 4x400-metre men's relay team of the gold medal it won at the Sydney 2000 Olympics for doping.
The decision was made after team member Antonio Pettigrew admitted in May to doping as far back as 1997 and agreed to return his Sydney gold medal, IOC spokeswoman Giselle Davies said.
The announcement was made during an IOC meeting here on Saturday.
The Nigerian team, who were second, could now be in line to receive the gold medal.
Pettigrew's teammates, brothers Alvin and Calvin Harrison had already been suspended for using performance enhancing drugs.
Jerome Young, the fourth member, had also been caught doping.
Michael Johnson, the five-time Olympic champion and the only relay team member not linked to banned substance use, said after Pettigrew's admission that he would return his Sydney gold medal.
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