Greek duo suspended

Kostas Kenteris and Katerina Thanou have been suspended by Hellenic Olympic Committee pending the IOC hearing to take place on Monday.

The HOC issued the following statement:

“The executive board of the Hellenic Olympic Committee examined the case of the two Olympic champions Kostas Kenteris and Katerina Thanou and their coach Christos Tzekos and after hearing the head of the Hellenic delegation Giannas Papadogiannakis, Mr Tzekos, the attorney of the two athletes and the president of the Hellenic Federation of Athletics - wishing to keep the peaceful climate within the Olympic delegation, having unshakeable faith in ‘clean Games’ and always appreciating the contribution of the two champions – decided to withdraw the two athletes of the Olympic team and their coach until decision is made by the official IOC organ.”

HOC president Lambis Nikolaou disagreed with his colleagues.

He said: “It was not a unanimous decision. I don’t think it’s right. I think they should be thrown out full stop.”