Pettigrew banned after admitting doping

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(Agencies)
Updated: 2008-06-04 10:37

RALEIGH, North Carolina - Former world 400 metres champion Antonio Pettigrew has been banned for two years after admitting he used prohibited substances, the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) said on Tuesday.

US gold medallists (L to R) Antonio Pettigrew, Calvin and Alvin Harrison and Michael Johnson celebrate with their medals on the podium of the 4x400m relay final, at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games. Pettigrew joined Johnson by planning to hand back the gold medal he won at the 2000 Olympics, after Pettigrew admitted using performance-enhancing drugs. [Agencies]

Pettigrew, 40, who has retired from competitive running, said last month during the trial of former coach Trevor Graham that he had used performance-enhancing drugs.

USADA said all Pettigrew's competitive results since January 1997 would be annulled and added he had also voluntarily surrendered his 2000 Sydney Olympics 4x400 metres relay gold medal and his 1997 and 1999 world championship relay golds.

The decision could lead to the U.S. team losing their 4x400 metres world record of 2:54.20 set in July 1998.

Pettigrew ran the race with Jerome Young, Tyree Washington and Michael Johnson.

On Tuesday Johnson said he was shocked by Pettigrew's admission and was returning his 2000 Olympic 4x400 metres gold medal because it was tainted.

USADA said Pettigrew acknowledged using the prohibited blood booster erythropoietin (EPO) and human growth hormone (HGH) beginning on or about January 1997 through 2003.

"It takes courage to accept full responsibility for such egregious conduct and hopefully Mr Pettigrew's case will serve as another powerful reminder to young athletes of the importance of competing clean," USADA chief executive officer Travis T. Tygart said.