Saint Denis (France), Aug 29: The IOC asked US Olympic officials and track's world governing body to investigate allegations that American runner Jerome Young was allowed to compete in the Sydney Olympics despite a positive drug test. IOC president Jacques Rogge sent a letter to the US Olympic committee and the International Association of Athletics Federations "strongly urging them to pursue the matter".

Rogge also asked the World Anti-Doping Agency to assist the inquiry "by using all means and powers at its disposal". The International Olympic Committee's intervention came a day after a report in The Los Angeles Times that young tested positive for steroids in 1999 but was cleared to run in the 2000 Sydney Games. Young won a gold medal as part of the US 1,600-meter relay team.

Dick Pound, President of the World Anti-Doping Agency, said on Wednesday the legitimacy of the US victory was "shattered" and called on the IOC to strip the team of the gold medal. The report of the positive drug test came a day after young won the 400 meters at the World Championships here onTuesday for his first individual title. He is set to run in the 1,600-meter relay this weekend.

It had been known that an American athlete tested positive before the Sydney Olympics but was exonerated by US officials and went on to win a gold medal. But US Olympic and track and field officials refused to disclose the name.