BEIJING - The IAAF scrapped the 4x400-metre relay world record set by the United States in 1998 because of Antonio Pettigrew's admission of doping.
Michael Johnson, Tyree Washington and Jerome Young were also on the team that set the record of two minutes, 54.20 seconds in Uniondale, New York, on July 22, 1998.
"The IAAF is sending a clear message that we will not tolerate doping," Lamine Diack, the president of track's governing body, said Tuesday.
The previous world record of 2:54.29 was set by the American team of Andrew Valmon, Quincy Watts, Butch Reynolds and Johnson at the 1993 world championships in Stuttgart, Germany.
Pettigrew admitted in court in May that he had used performance-enhancing drugs, and USA Track & Field chief executive officer Doug Logan said last month he wanted the record erased as a national mark because it was tainted.
Diack said he wants to go back 30 years if necessary to annul records once there is a doping admission under oath by an athlete.
The IAAF currently has an eight-year limit on such action, but plans to change the rule at next year's congress.
IAAF secretary general Pierre Weiss said Tuesday's move allows the sport to open its Olympics "with a clear world record."
Pettigrew admitted to using performance-enhancing drugs dating to 1997. As a result, the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency has invalidated all of Pettigrew's marks since that date.
"Clearly, we support that move (by the IAAF)," USATF director of communications Jill Geer said. "Certainly the IAAF action sends a strong message."
Geer also said that there won't be a decision until December about erasing the mark as an American record.
Tuesday's announcement comes 10 days after the International Olympic Committee stripped gold medals from Pettigrew and the rest of the 4x400 relay team that competed at the 2000 Olympics.
That ruling was basically a formality after Pettigrew relinquished his gold medal in June. Citing Pettigrew's admission, Johnson said before the IOC's ruling he would turn over his medal.
The IOC also banned Pettigrew from attending the Beijing Games "in any capacity," including as a competitor, coach or technical official. Pettigrew has retired from competition, and the U.S. Olympic Committee said there were no plans for him to be in Beijing.
Young has also been in trouble for doping. He was eligible in 1998 but was banned for life for a second doping violation in 2004. Earlier this year, after Young admitted to more doping, USADA invalidated his results to Jan. 1, 1999.
