Athens - Greek prosecutors began investigations into women's 400-metre hurdler Fani Halkia Monday following the runner's failed dope test ahead of last month's Beijing Olympic Games. "I didn't know that I had taken something that was banned," Halkia told Greek television after her first appearance before a magistrate where she was given four days to prepare her defence.
Apart from Halkia, Greek prosecutors are also investigating sprinter Anastasios Gousis, who like Halkia failed a dope test on August 7, the day before the start of the Olympics, as well as the two athletes' coach, Giorgos Panagiotopoulos.
A total of 15 Greek athletes tested positive for the banned substance methyltrienolone in the three months before the Beijing Games, including 11 weightlifters and a swimmer.
Halkia and Gousis were barred from competing in China.
