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Yesterday, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) announced that it is asking the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to launch a full investigation regarding gold medals won by the United States in the 1,600-meter relay at the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games following the disclosure that one of the athletes had tested positive for a banned substance the year before.

This action was prompted by an article in the Los Angeles Times revealing that Jerome Young tested positive for a banned steroid a year before the Games, but had been cleared by USA Track and Field (USATF) and allowed to compete in Sydney. Contrary to the rules of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), USATF refused to disclose the name of that athlete to the IAAF. Young competed in the early rounds of the 1,600-meter relay and was one of the team members awarded a gold medal for the final victory.

"The legitimacy of the U.S. win in the 1,600-meter relay in Sydney is now shattered," said Richard W. Pound, WADA's president. "By not reporting the positive result to the IAAF immediately, the USATF engaged in a conspiracy of silence. The doping violation by Young was overturned by the USATF and no one else had the opportunity to review the case."

Pound said he has written IOC president Jacques Rogge and asked that the IOC get the full facts in this case and take appropriate measures as soon as possible.

"I believe that the IOC must act decisively in this matter to preserve the ethical values of Olympic Sport and the image of the Olympic Games," Pound wrote.
Pound also said WADA stands ready to help with any investigation in to the matter.