Pan American games hit by drug scandal

Thirteen US track and field athletes withdrew from the Pan American Games and a US weight-lifter was stripped of three gold medals in the aftermath of a drug scandal in the world of international amateur athletics.

The US Olympic Committee announced the withdrawal of the 13 athletes a day after four weight-lifters from other countries were stripped of their medals and three others reprimanded for taking anabolic steroids. Steroids are believed to aid muscle development. The USOC insisted that their decision not be interpreted as a violation of any rules governing the use of drugs in amateur athletics.