Former sprint champion Tim Montgomery was sentenced to 46 months on jail on Friday for his part in a fraudulent cheque-cashing scheme. (Louis Lanzano/Associated Press)

Olympic gold medallist Tim Montgomery was sentenced to 46 months in prison Friday for his part in a multimillion-dollar fake-cheque scheme.

The former track star, 33, hung his head as Judge Kenneth Karas imposed the sentence in the court at White Plains, N.Y.

Montgomery pleaded guilty last year to conspiracy in the bank fraud and money laundering plot. Prosecutors said he had a hand in depositing bogus cheques worth $1.7 million US.

He retired in 2005 after being banned from track and field for doping. He and Marion Jones, the track superstar who is now in prison for lying about the cheque scam and about her use of performance-enhancing drugs, have a child together.

"I've had everything I ever wanted in life. I've stood on the top of the mountain," Montgomery told the court. But now, "the gold medal, all those people cheering, that was part of another world.

"In jail, my status is gone."

The judge told him, "Being a track star does not somehow disable someone from saying no."

"I know this is a tough day for you. Think about those kids," the judge said, in an apparent reference to Montgomery's four children. "That's what's going to help you say no next time."

After the sentencing, Montgomery nodded and smiled at his parents, siblings and a girlfriend.

Montgomery still faces drug-dealing charges in Virginia. In deciding on the prison term, the judge did not hold the new charges against the former athlete.

The cheque case also ensnared Montgomery's former coach, gold medallist Steve Riddick, and Jones' longtime agent, Charles Wells.

Both pleaded guilty.