Young admits part in drugs scandal

American world champion Jerome Young today admitted he was at the centre of a drugs scandal in 1999 but was still allowed to compete at the Sydney Olympics the following year.

The International Olympic Committee have called for athletics chiefs to investigate allegations in the Los Angeles Times this week that 400 metres champion Young had tested positive for the banned steroid nandrolone - which usually leads to a two-year ban - but was cleared by the governing body of American athletics.

Young told the LA Times today: "It's something that happened. It's all past, and I don't want to talk about. It's a closed door. I don't even think about it now."

World Anti-Doping Agency president Dick Pound has already called for an inquiry into the scandal which has cast a huge shadow over the image of American athletics.