Kenteris misses dope test
2004-08-12 21:37
Athens - Greek top sprinter Konstadinos Kenteris, the 200 metres Olympic champion, has not showed up for a doping test 24 hours ahead of the opening ceremony of the Athens Olympics, local news reports said on Friday.
The local media have tipped Kenteris as the mistery athlete who would light the Olympic Flame.
The Flash radio station said Kenteris had refused to undergo the test while another local station, Sky radio, said he didn't show up.
If the reports prove to be true, the 200 Olympic, world and European champion Kenteris faces sanctions because not submitting a doping test is rated the same as a positive test by anti-doping authorities and the ruling athletics body IAAF.
In this case he would likely miss the Olympics which would be a huge shock for the host nation as he was also rated a contender to light the Olympic cauldron as the last torch bearer at Friday's opening ceremony. Sapa-dpa
- SAPA