irishtimes.com - Last Updated: Tuesday, August 10, 2010, 20:06

Former world champion Pettigrew found dead

Former world 400 metres champion Antonio Pettigrew has been found dead, his University of North Carolina employers said in a statement today.

“Although we are still learning the circumstances, we are deeply saddened to learn of Antonio's death," said the school's athletic director Dick Baddour.

“I was particularly impressed with the relationships he established with his student-athletes and the pride he took in representing the university. Our deepest condolences go out to Antonio's family particularly his wife and son.”

The 42-year-old American, who worked at the school as an assistant athletics coach, captured the world title in 1991.

The sprinter also won a 4x400 gold at the 2000 Sydney Olympics but the relay team, including Michael Johnson, were stripped of their medals after Pettigrew admitted at the trial of banned coach Trevor Graham he had used performance-enhancing drugs from 1997 to 2003.

Pettigrew also voluntarily surrendered his 1997 and 1999 world championship 4x400 relay golds.