On 2 August 2008 the Executive Board (EB) of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has reached a decision in the case of Mr. Antonio Pettigrew, a member of the US team who placed first in the Men’s 4x400 relay at the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games.
Mr Pettigrew has since admitted to using performance-enhancing drugs (erythropoetin and human growth hormone) while competing in Sydney and subsequently returned his medal.
The IOC Executive Board, as recommended by the IOC Disciplinary Commission, decides:
1.) The athlete Mr Pettigrew is disqualified from the following events in which he competed at the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games in the sport of athletics:
- 4 x 400m relay, where the team he was on placed 1st;
- 400m, where he placed 7th.
2.) The United States Olympic Committee (“USOC”) is requested to return to the IOC the diplomas awarded to Mr Pettigrew in the above-noted events (it being acknowledged that the USOC has already returned to the IOC the medal won by Mr Pettigrew in the 4 x 400 meter relay).
3.) The International Association of Athletics Federations (“IAAF”) is requested to take the appropriate steps so that the relevant results reflect the above.
4.) Mr Pettigrew is ineligible for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games in any capacity.
5.) Mr Pettigrew shall be notified that the IOC reserves its rights to consider possible further sanctions against him, in particular permanent ineligibility for all future Olympic Games, in any capacity, pending the outcome of the Balco investigation.
6.) The issue of reallocating the diplomas of the athletes that finished behind Mr Pettigrew in the individual event referred to above shall be addressed by the IOC Executive Board in due course.
7.) This Decision shall enter into force immediately.
