Johnson to return Sydney medal

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The double world record-holder, who retired in 2001, said he was "deeply disappointed and saddened" to be voluntarily sending back his 4x400metres gold from the Sydney Olympic Games to the International Olympic Committee.

The 40-year-old reached the decision after former relay team-mate Antonio Pettigrew admitted during the recent trial of coach Trevor Graham that he used drugs during the 2000 Games.

Pettigrew's confession followed the drugs bans already imposed on twin brothers Alvin and Calvin Harrison, and Jerome Young, also members of the victorious squad in Sydney.

Johnson told The Daily Telegraph: "I know the medal was not fairly won and that it is dirty so I have moved it from the location where I have always kept my medals because it does not belong there.

"And it doesn't belong to me, so I will be returning it to the IOC because I don't want it. It was not won fairly. I am deeply disappointed and saddened.

"I have vigorously defended this sport over the past six years or so since the drug scandals started. I pointed out how athletics tests its athletes more than any other sport.

"But now I feel that I have been naive. I now realise that there have been a significant number of athletes and coaches in this sport who have cheated and taken the short cut, and many of them knew who else was cheating.

"This is a huge problem for the IOC, the International Association of Athletics Federations, and the whole track and field community.

"So, as difficult as it is, I will be returning it because I don't want it. I feel cheated, betrayed and let down."