Greek sprinters deny BALCO links

Greek sprinters Katerina Thanou and Costas Kenteris and their former coach Christos Tzekos had no links with the BALCO laboratory…

Greek sprinters Katerina Thanou and Costas Kenteris and their former coach Christos Tzekos had no links with the BALCO laboratory at the centre of US sport's biggest doping scandal, their lawyers have claimed.

Lawyers for the trio held a news conference following speculation in the Greek media about links with the laboratory.

"They deny any involvement with the BALCO case. The Kenteris-Thanou-Tzekos case regarding BALCO is now closed," said Nikos Kollias, one of two lawyers present.

"Greek prosecutors have gone over the file requested from the United States and they have shelved this case a few days ago," Kollias said.

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Kenteris and Thanou, who were training partners, withdrew from the Athens 2004 Olympics after missing a doping test on the eve of the Games.

They served a two-year suspension, admitting to violating anti-doping rules, but have never tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has yet to decide if Thanou should get the Sydney Olympics 100 metres gold medal after race winner Marion Jones of the United States confessed to doping.

Thanou finished second in the 2000 race behind Jones, who earlier this month handed back her five Olympic medals and accepted a two-year ban.