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MarkG
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Grand Lord of Apolyton, Owner of all this land as far as the eye can see
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quote:
Two Runners Injured After Missing Test
By LISA ORKIN
Associated Press Writer
ATHENS, Greece (AP) -- Greek sprinters Costas Kenteris and Katerina Thanou were taken to a hospital early Friday after being involved in a traffic accident a few hours before they were to face an International Olympic Committee disciplinary board for failing to attend a doping test.
Police said the pair were on a motorcycle when the accident occurred - on the day of the Olympics opening ceremony - and that they had not been seriously hurt.
Their coach, Christos Tzekos, said after visiting them in the hospital that "They don't have a serious problem." He said a decision on whether they would be in shape to compete would be made in the next few days.
"Fortunately their condition is not a cause for concern," said Vassilis Sevastis, head of the Greek Amateur Athletics Association. "Costas was driving and the bike slipped ... This accident occurred because they were in a bad psychological state."
A statement from Athens' main KAT trauma hospital, however, said the 31-year-old Kenteris had suffered "cranial trauma," whiplash and open wounds to the lower leg. Thanou suffered abdominal bruises, injuries to the right hip and a muscular injury to her right upper leg.
Kenteris, who could not be located for a doping test in the athletes' village on Thursday, is Greece's best hope for a gold medal on the track at the Athens Games. He's considered a favorite to light the cauldron at Friday's opening ceremony.
One of Kenteris' friends, Stratis Patakos, said after visiting the sprinter that "it is doubtful" he would participate in the opening ceremony.
"He does not feel well and has a very bad headache," said Patakos, a doctor.
After Kenteris and Thanou could not be located for the test, Greek Olympic team leader Yiannis Papadoyiannakis told state-run NET television that, "There was no intention from the Hellenic Olympic Committee to hide anything. If there has been some kind of misunderstanding that's something different. Many athletes leave the Olympic village for many reasons, to enjoy themselves."
IOC President Jacques Rogge set up a disciplinary committee to investigate "the nature and circumstances of an alleged anti-doping rule violation committed by two Greek athletes," the IOC said in a statement late Thursday night.
The IOC cited the athletes for "unavailability for testing and failing, without compelling justification," to submit to testing.
The IOC's Anti-Doping Rules for the Athens Games say doping violations include "refusing, or failing without compelling justification, to submit to sample collection after notification." Such a violation may lead to ineligibility for the games.
After its Friday hearing, the panel will submit a report to the IOC executive board - which is expected to rule on the issue the same day, said IOC spokeswoman Giselle Davies.
The Greek Olympic Committee said an IOC drug tester went to the athletes' rooms in the village Thursday evening but could not find them. Papadoyiannakis also searched unsuccessfully for the sprinters, the committee said.
The head of the Greek track team, Yiannis Stamatopoulos, said the athletes had left the village to collect personal belongings from home. He said the athletes would return to the village and had asked for an extension to submit to the drug tests.
Last year, Kenteris and Thanou missed an out-of-competition drug test - they were in Qatar after informing anti-doping officials they would be training on the Greek island of Crete.
Neither has tested positive for drugs.
Kenteris was one of the biggest surprises of the 2000 Sydney Games, winning the 200 to become the first Greek man to win an Olympic medal in a running event since 1896. Thanou was the 100 silver medalist in Sydney.
Kenteris, who also won the world title in 2001, has competed in few international events since his Olympic victory. He dropped out of the 2003 world championships, citing a lingering thigh injury.
His rare appearances have frustrated fans and the Greek track federation, and led to rumors that he's trying to avoid drug tests.
© 2004 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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13-08-2004 14:16
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