Sprint duo in the clear

SEGAS faults coach for drug test no-shows; IAAF ‘surprised’

The Greek amateur athletics federation (SEGAS) yesterday cleared disgraced star sprinters Costas Kenteris and Katerina Thanou of charges that they dodged three drug tests in the lead-up to the August Olympics, laying the entire blame for the runners’ no-shows on the controversial coach both used at the time.

Following a two-month investigation, SEGAS’s disciplinary committee imposed a four-year ban on Christos Tzekos, after concluding that the athletes were never personally notified that drug inspectors were looking for them. “The chain of information stopped at Mr Christos Tzekos,” SEGAS said. The committee also cleared Tzekos of distributing illegal performance-enhancing drugs.

The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), which in December rejected the two Sydney Olympic medalists’ explanations for failing to turn up for the tests, and banned the two pending a ruling by SEGAS, seemed taken aback by yesterday’s decision.

“The IAAF notes the decision to suspend coach Tzekos... but was surprised to learn that the sprinters... have been cleared,” the IAAF said, adding that its doping review board would carefully consider the decision’s documentation.

“The IAAF will then decide whether to accept or reject the decision, and in the latter case, it reserves the right to appeal to the Court of Arbitration in Sport.”

Kenteris and Thanou, who pulled out of the Games and have since to compete, had faced a maximum two-year ban.

Neither had any comment yesterday. Tzekos said he was “delighted” the sprinters — Kenteris dumped him after the scandal — had been cleared. “I do not feel like a sacrificial victim,” he said.

A prosecutor has charged Kenteris and Thanou with faking a motorcycle accident to dodge a drug test on the eve of the Olympics opening ceremony.