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Greece bans athletic dopers from Olympic torch relays

by : dpa

Date : Wed, 04 Nov 2009 15:58:22 GMT





Athens - The Hellenic Olympic Committee said on Wednesday it will impose a ban on athletes that have used banned substances from participating in Olympic torch relays. The decision follows widespread criticism by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) after banned hurdler Fani Halkia carried the Vancouver 2010 Olympic torch during the first leg of the relay in Greece last week.

The Hellenic Olympic Committee said any athlete who has been disciplined for the use of banned substances would be banned from carrying the Olympic Flame for life.

Halkia, the 400-metre hurdles gold winner at the 2004 Athens Olympics, was expelled from the 2008 Beijing Games after testing positive for steroids.

She has been banned for two years and currently faces trial for steroid use.

Halkia ended up carrying the flame after being recommended by the Greek Olympic medallists ' association which she serves on the board.

A total of 14 other Greek athletes, including 11 weightlifters, had tested positive for steroid use before the start of the Beijing Olympics.



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