IAAF erase Jones's results since Sept 1 2000

By Bob Ramsak

MONACO (Reuters) - Marion Jones was formally disqualified on Friday from all competitions since Sept 1. 2000, including the Sydney Olympics where she won five medals, after admitting last month to taking banned drugs.

The International Association of Athletics Federations' (IAAF) governing council ruled that Jones's results be annulled after she confessed to taking the designer steroid tetrahydrogestrinone before the 2000 Games.

Jones, 32, won gold medals in the 100, 200 and 4x400 metres relay and bronze in the long jump and 4x100 relay at the 2000 Games.

IAAF spokesman Nick Davies said the Council would ask the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to disqualify the U.S. women's 4x100 and 4x400 metre relay teams from the Sydney Games.

But the governing body stopped short of recommending that controversial Greek sprinter Katerina Thanou, who was the silver medallist in the 100 behind Jones, be awarded the gold medal.

"The IOC will be sent any information on Thanou that we might have," Davies said.

Thanou was given a two-year suspension for missing three dope tests, the last on the eve of the 2004 Games in Athens.

"We can't decide not to give her the medal," Davies said. "We will inform them of the decision but it's really up to the IOC. They will decide what to do."