Erroneous Decision

The dynamic duo of Greek sprinting, Kostas Kenteris and Ekaterian Thanou, were cleared by the Greek athletics federation of missing drugs tests in March.

This perverse decision does not exactly cover the Olympics with glory does it?

It would seem that IAAF are also concerned about this decision, and have announced it will appeal against it.

The IAAF stated that the Greek decision was "erroneous", and said it would be referring the case to CAS - the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

The dynamic duo were found innocent of any wrongdoing by their national federation last month, despite being kicked out of the 2004 Games.

Kenteris, the 200m Olympic gold medalist at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, and Thanou, silver medalist in the 100m, had been accused by the IAAF of breaking doping rules by missing that test and others in Tel Aviv on July 27-28, and Chicago on August 10-11 last year.

They also allegedly faked a motorcycle crash, and used it as their excuse for not attending one of the tests.

However, the Greek authorities decided to dismiss the charges against the duo instead they banned their coach for 4 years.

A tad perverse I would say.

The IAAF website says of the matter:

"The IAAFs Doping Review Board has reviewed the decision received from the Greek National Federation to clear the Greek athletes, Konstantinos Kenteris and Ekatherina Thanou, of anti-doping rule violations under IAAF Rules.."

"The Doping Review Board has concluded that the decision is erroneous and the IAAF will now refer both athletes cases to arbitration before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) on a timely basis under IAAF Rules...The CAS decision in both cases will be final and binding."

Both athletes are suspended, pending the outcome of the CAS decision.