London, Dec 03: US officials have failed to explain why Sydney gold medallist Jerome young was cleared to compete at the 2000 Olympics after failing a drug test a year before, IOC president Jacques Rogge said.
The International Olympic Committee is investigating whether Young and the rest of the US 1,600-metre relay team should be stripped of the gold medal because of his positive test for steroids.
"I'm disappointed," Rogge said Monday in an interview with reporters. "We do not have the full information and data. This is a sad story."
The US Olympic Committee notified the IOC executive board in September that Young tested positive for Nandrolone in 1999 but was cleared on appeal - in a secret process - by USA Track and Field.
Young went on to win a gold medal in Sydney as part of the relay team, which was anchored by Michael Johnson in the final.



Under international rules, a confirmed steroid offence is punishable by a minimum two-year ban. Such a penalty would have ruled young out of the Sydney Games.



The IOC opened disciplinary proceedings on Septemer 30 to try to find out the reasons for Young's exoneration and consider "all possible consequences," including removal of the medals.



USATF has repeatedly declined to provide the requested information, citing confidentiality rules in place at the time. USATF also says it is bound by an arbitration court ruling upholding its decision to maintain secrecy on doping acquittals.


Bureau Report