BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC):

Jamaica have been awarded gold in the 4x400 metres relay from the 2000 Sydney Olympics after the International Olympic Committee on Thursday stripped Marion Jones' Unites States teammates of their medals.

The IOC's executive board decided Thursday to disqualify Jearl-Miles Clark, Monique Hennagan and LaTasha Colander-Richardson following Jones' doping admissions last year.

stripped

The US team of Chryste Gaines, Torri Edwards and Nanceen Perry were also stripped of their bronze medals in the 4x100 metres, giving France third place in the event.

Jamaica's team in the 4x400 metres event was Sandie Richards, Catherine Scott, Deon Hemmings and Lorraine Graham.

The United States Olympic Committee said it had accepted the IOC's decision but stressed they would not block the team members" right to appeal.

"We respect the decision of the IOC executive board, as well as the right for the athletes who are impacted by this decision to file an appeal with the Court of Arbitration of Sport," the USOC's chief executive Jim Scherr said.

consequences of doping

"The decision illustrates just how far reaching the consequences of doping can be. When an athlete makes the choice to cheat, others end up paying the price, including teammates, competitors and fans."

Russia has been moved up to silver behind Jamaica with Nigeria taking bronze.

Jones, the wife of Barbadian Olympic medallist Obadele Thompson, admitted to a New York court last October that she had taken performance enhancing drugs in the buildup to the 2000 Sydney Olympics. She subsequently announced her retirement and was stripped of her medals by the IAAF and results dating back to September 2000.