He is not guilty Clare Rodney, Johnson's sister

Canada's Prime Minister Brian Mulroney said it was the correct decision, but a tragedy for Johnson and a great sadness for all Canadians.

But the athlete's sister, Clare Rodney, told reporters she was convinced the drug testers had made a mistake.

"I can really tell anybody from the depths of my heart that he is not guilty," she said.

The Canadian media has labelled Johnson a cheat, but there was also sympathy for the man who said he valued a gold medal over a world record because no one could take it away from him.

Britain's Linford Christie - who was awarded the silver medal after Johnson's disqualification - said he felt sorry for someone who had been a "great ambassador" for the sport.

"I'm also sad for athletics because this has been a bad day for us," he said.

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