R.I.P. Former Olympic Gold Medalist Antonio Pettigrew Found Dead In Car

Former Olympian Antonio Pettigrew was found dead in Chatham County early Tuesday. North Carolina spokesman Matt Bowers said that Pettigrew, an assistant Tar Heels track coach, was discovered in his car. No other details were available. A call to the Chatham County sheriff’s department wasn’t immediately returned Tuesday afternoon.

Pettigrew, 42, was part of the 1,600-meter U.S. relay team that won the gold medal in the Sydney Olympics in 2000, but the International Olympic Committee stripped the team of the medals two years ago after Pettigrew admitted doping during a trial against former coach Trevor Graham.

Pettigrew had spent four seasons at North Carolina and focused on sprints, hurdle and relays. He graduated from St. Augustine’s in Raleigh in 1993.

In a statement, North Carolina athletics director Dick Baddour said the school was “deeply saddened” to learn of Pettigrew’s death.

“I was particularly impressed with the relationships he established with our student-athletes and the pride he took in representing the University of North Carolina,” Baddour said.

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