IAAF scratches world record

The International Association of Athletics Federations has cancelled the current world record in the men's 4x400 metre relay as a result of American Antonio Pettigrew's doping admission.

Pettigrew was a member of the team which set a time of 2 minutes 54.20 seconds in Uniondale, New York on July 22, 1998, along with Jerome Young, Tyree Washington and Michael Johnson.

However, during the course of a trial of former track coach Trevor Graham in May, Pettigrew admitted to using human growth hormone and EPO between 1997 and 2003.

"The IAAF will continue to fight doping with total determination," said IAAF president Lamine Diack.

"Whether it is by educational measures, improved testing methods, or tougher rules and sanctions, the IAAF is sending a clear message that we will not tolerate doping in athletics."

The record now passes back to the United States team of Andrew Valmon, Quincy Watts, Harry Reynolds and Michael Johnson, who set a time of 2:54.29 in Stuttgart in 1993.

The IAAF said it will consider whether to disqualify more of Pettigrew's results dating back to January 1, 1997 at future meetings.

Tuesday's decision to cancel the world record comes 10 days after the International Olympic Committee stripped Pettigrew and his relay team-mates of their gold medals from the 2000 Olympics.