CHAPEL HILL, North Carolina (AP) – The University of North Carolina says former Olympic sprinter Antonio Pettigrew was found dead in Chatham County early Tuesday.
Pettigrew worked as an assistant coach at the university, and school spokesman Matt Bowers says Pettigrew’s body was discovered in his car.
Pettigrew was part of the 1,600-meter U.S. relay team that won the gold medal in the Sydney Olympics in 2000, but the International Olympic Committee stripped the team of the medals two years ago after Pettigrew admitted doping during a trial against former coach Trevor Graham.
Pettigrew had spent four seasons at North Carolina and focused on sprints, hurdle and relays. He graduated from St. Augustine’s in Raleigh in 1992.
A call to the Chatham County sheriff’s department wasn’t immediately returned Tuesday.
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