USATF Is Issued Deadline by USOC

The U.S. Olympic Committee on Thursday gave USA Track & Field a Feb. 24 deadline to open its files in the case of sprinter Jerome Young, who tested positive for a banned steroid in 1999 but was cleared to compete in the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

If the appropriate materials are not produced by then, the USOC’s acting president, Bill Martin, said in a letter sent to USATF’s chief executive, Craig Masback, and its president, Bill Roe, he will launch USOC proceedings to decertify USATF as this nation’s governing body for track and field.

Martin also said the USOC believes the “surest path to resolution” is two-fold. USATF should provide “all documents” requested by track’s worldwide governing body, the International Assn. of Athletics Federations, and by the International Olympic Committee. And, he said, USATF should “provide a public apology for the problems [USATF’s] handling of this matter has caused the Olympic movement.”

The Young case has long strained U.S. relations with the IOC, the IAAF and other sports authorities around the world. At stake now are the gold medals won in Sydney by Young and five others, including Michael Johnson, in the 1,600-meter relay. The IOC has launched a “disciplinary” commission; the matter is on the agenda for the IOC’s next meeting, in late February in Athens.

“We are in receipt of the letter and are in the process of reviewing it,” USATF spokeswoman Jill Geer said.

Young tested positive for the banned steroid nandrolone on June 26, 1999. A USATF hearing board found against him but, days before the 2000 Olympic trials, he was cleared to compete by a USATF appeals board. The hearing and appeal were conducted in secret and USATF, citing confidentiality concerns, has declined to provide its files.

Young has denied committing a doping offense.

A nandrolone offense typically yields a two-year suspension. Such a ban would have made Young ineligible for the Sydney Games.

The Times last Aug. 27 identified Young as the athlete in question. The USOC in September confirmed to the IOC that it was Young.

The IAAF intends now to mount a formal legal challenge at the Swiss-based Court of Arbitration for Sport to the USATF panel’s move to clear Young to compete, sources said this week.

Meanwhile, Martin said in Thursday’s letter, until the “matter is resolved,” financial sanctions -- involving about $3 million annually that flows from the USOC to USATF -- remain in effect.