Michael Johnson (centre) with Sydney relay team-mates

The International Association of Athletics Federations will meet to decide whether to recommend disqualifying the US 4x400m team.

Young tested positive for banned steroid nandrolone before Sydney.

But he ran in the Olympic heats and was awarded one of the six gold medals given to the team four years ago.

IAAF spokesman Nick Davies said the council meeting would be held on the final day of the world junior championships in Grosseto, Italy.

Its recommendation will then be considered by the International Olympic Committee which usually endorses the decisions of its member federations.

"We think that there will be a decision before the end of the morning on the eligibility of the team," said Davies.

US 4x400m RELAY TEAM - SYDNEY Jerome Young Michael Johnson Alvin Harrison Calvin Harrison Angelo Taylor Antonio Pettigrew

Young, the reigning 400m world champion, was allowed to run at the 2000 Games by USA Track and Field.

But the Court of Arbitration for Sport ruled he should not have competed after his positive test the previous year.

If the US team are disqualified, Johnson and his team-mates would have to hand back their gold medals. Silver medallists Nigeria would be promoted to gold.

Earlier this year, the IAAF annulled the British team's second place in the 4x100m relay at last August's Paris world championships after European champion Dwain Chambers tested positive for the steroid THG.

Five-time Olympic champion Johnson, the only man to win the 200-400m double at the Games, has already said he said he should not lose his medal.

"The bottom line is that when Jerome Young made the Olympic team, he had been cleared to run," said Johnson.