Former Olympian Antonio Pettigrew found dead in North Carolina

Raleigh, NC (August 10, 2010) Early afternoon on Tuesday, August 2010, Chatham County Sheriffs found former professional track athlete Antonio Pettigrew dead in North Carolina’s Chatham County according to University of North Carolina Officials.

Pettigrew was found dead in the backseat of his locked car early Tuesday. In initial reports authorities said they are unsure if his death was accidental or a suicide. AP reports that Pettigrew’s wife reported him missing from their home in Apex, North Carolina early on Tuesday morning.

USA Track and Field reports that further details surrounding Pettigrew’s death are pending and are under investigation by the Chatham County Sheriff.

Already shockwaves are already being felt around the track community.

“The USATF family extends our condolences to all of Antonio’s family, friends and colleagues,” said USATF Chairman and President Stephanie Hightower. “The track and field community is very tight-knit, and news like this affects everyone deeply.”

A 1992 graduate of St. Augustine’s University in Raleigh, N.C., the 42-year-old Pettigrew had worked as an assistant track coach for UNC for four years.

Pettigrew’s track career had been mired in controversy after being stripped of his gold medals after admitting to doping.

While actively competing, he was a three-time world champion in the 4×400m relay, a 2000 Olympic gold medalist and world record holder in the relay and the 1991 world champion in the open 400 meters. He had won five U.S. Outdoor 400m titles over span of 12 years and at one time served on USATF’s Board of Directors as a representative of the Athletes Advisory Committee.

He was stripped of the gold medal he won at 1997 and 1999 World Championships, as well as the 4×400m world record he was part of, set in 1998. He retained his 1991 world title, three U.S. outdoor championships from 1989, ‘91 and ‘94, and the 1994 World Cup title.

Pettigrew is survived by his Cassandra, and a son, Antonio Pettigrew Jr.