US team stripped of gold medal

THE International Association of Athletic Federations has stripped the United States 4x400 metres relay team of their gold medal won at the Sydney Olympics four years ago.

The Americans included Jerome Young in their quartet in two of the preliminary rounds, despite the fact he had previously failed a drugs test for the banned steroid nandrolone.

At the time it was unknown to the IAAF that Young had committed an offence and it only came to light when he was named last November.

Today the IAAF, which is responsible for the technical organisation of the track and field programme at the Olympics, made their recommendation to the International Olympic Committee that the gold medals now be awarded to Nigeria with Jamaica and the Bahamas being given the minor placings.

The IAAF have discussed the case with the IOC and are confident that their decision will be confirmed.