Sports | Antonio Pettigrew Ex-Olympic Gold Sprinter Found Dead Pettigrew lost gold medal after doping scandal By Rob Quinn Posted Aug 11, 2010 2:02 AM CDT Copied The US men's 4x400-meter relay team, with Antonio Pettigrew at left, celebrates after winning the gold medal at the Summer Olympics in Sydney. All four were later stripped of their medals. (AP Photo/Thomas Kienzle, File) Former world champion sprinter Antonio Pettigrew has been found dead in the backseat of his car in North Carolina. Pettigrew, 42, was part of the American 4x400-meter relay squad that won gold at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, only be be stripped of their medals after Pettigrew confessed to being part of a doping program. Pettigrew, a four-time national champion, leaves a wife and son. Investigators say they don't suspect foul play. He was found near the University of North Carolina campus where he had worked as a coach. "We are deeply saddened to learn of Antonio's death," UNC athletic director Dick Baddour told the Charlotte Observer. "I was particularly impressed with the relationships he established with his student-athletes and the pride he took in representing the University of North Carolina." Read These Next GOP Sen. Tillis suggests Pete Hegseth is 'out of his depth.' Los Angeles tunnel collapses with workers inside. He's an American hero—and an undocumented immigrant. Missing teen surfer found alive on uninhabited island. Report an error