The International Olympic Committee (IOC) yesterday urged the world governing athletics body and the US federation to pursue newspaper allegations that world 400 metres champion Jerome Young once failed a dope test.

An article in Wednesday's Los Angeles Times said Young had tested positive for the anabolic steroid nandrolone in 1999 but had been subsequently cleared and allowed to compete in the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

Last year the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) ruled that USA Track & Field did not have to disclose the names of five athletes who competed in Sydney after failing tests.

Both the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) and USA Track & Field said yesterday they had agreed to abide by the CAS decision and would make no further comment.

"This is an allegation published in a newspaper and not an official admission," said IAAF spokesman Nick Davies. "As far as the IAAF is concerned this matter came to an end with the decision following the hearing by CAS in Lausanne last year.

"We agreed to respect the decision and that it should be final and binding. For us the matter is closed with the CAS ruling."

In a statement yesterday, the IOC said it had written to both bodies urging them to pursue the matter. "All along in this affair, the IOC has constantly pushed for the unnamed athletes' identities to be disclosed, together with all details of the case," the IOC said.

"The revelations made by the Los Angeles Times, if proved correct, would be welcomed by the IOC, not least because they would lift the suspicion that hangs over innocent athletes."

Also yesterday, World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) president Dick Pound demanded an inquiry into the US 4x400 metres gold medals at the Sydney Games. Young did not compete in the final but was awarded one of the six gold medals because he ran in an early round.

"The legitimacy of the US win in the 1,600-metre relay in Sydney is now shattered," Pound said in a statement.

Pound accused USA Track & Field of engaging in a "conspiracy of silence".

He said he had written to International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Jacques Rogge.

"I believe that the IOC must act decisively in this matter to preserve the ethical values of Olympic sport and the image of the Olympic Games," he said.

Young, who won the 400 metres individual gold medal on Tuesday, has refused to speak to the media.

He is in the US squad for the 4x400 metres first round heats scheduled for today.