Injured Thanou will miss 400m relay
A shadow was cast yesterday over the national track and field team’s mighty showing at the ongoing European Championships in Munich, by the news that star sprinter Katerina Thanou, who won gold in the women’s 100-meter event Thursday, would miss today’s 4x100m because of a light injury. Thanou, who emerged from Thursday’s commanding gold-medal performance with a slight leg strain, has opted to skip today’s 400-meter relay to avoid possible aggravation. She will be replaced by Marialenna Diakatou. The team now lacks a big star, although Georgia Kokloni was robbed of a place in the 100-meter final when judges inexplicably refused to consider a Greek protest over the fact that two runners in Kokloni’s semifinal heat had jumped the gun. Popi Ouzouni, who ended seventh in the women’s shot put at the Sydney Olympics, and who has since been hampered by poor form, will compete in today’s final in Munich. Chrysopygi Devetzi will seek a place among the top eight in the women’s triple-jump final. Two local athletes, Chrysostomia Iakovou and Maria Protopappa will run in the women’s 5,000-meter final. The medal prospects of the men’s 400-meter relay team are somewhat uncertain and will hinge on the runners’ passing of the baton. The team will strive for a top-three placing in its semifinal which would guarantee it one of the eight lanes in the final. The top three teams from both semifinal heats as well as the two fastest among the rest qualify.
