International Olympic Committee to probe US gold medal

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is considering an investigation that could lead to another US relay team being stripped of an Olympic gold medal for doping.

The US Anti-Doping Agency said Crystal Cox, who ran in the preliminaries for the US women's 4x400 relay team at the 2004 Athens Olympics, admitted making use of anabolic steroids.

From Heraldsun.com.au:

The fate of Cox's gold medal and the medals held by the rest of the team is up to the International Olympic Committee.

"The IOC is looking into the file and considering setting up a disciplinary commission," IOC spokesman Mark Adams said on Monday.

The IOC has previously stripped national relay teams of medals retroactively for any doping admission or drug suspension - including three US teams from the 2000 Sydney Games.

The Athens case also involves the International Association of Athletics Federations, which determines official results and placings.

IAAF spokesman Nick Davies said the issue would be examined by the IAAF's ruling council at its meeting in Doha, Qatar, in March during the world indoor championships.

An entire relay team can be disqualified because of the doping of one member, even an alternate, as per international rules.