Prosecutor: Greek Olympians Kostas Kenteris, Katerina Thanou Should Be Convicted in Doping Scandal

ATHENS, Greece -- A prosecutor here called today for the conviction of two former Greek sprinters for staging a motorcycle accident and then lying about it to avoid a doping test at the 2004 Summer Olympics.

Kostas Kenteris and Katerina Thanou, both medalists at the 2000 games in Sydney, Australia, are accused of fabricating the mishap hours after failing to appear for scheduled drug tests at the Athens Olympic Village in August 2004.

The drama that surrounded Greece's premier Olympians cast a pall over the games' opening ceremony. Kenteris, the surprise Olympic gold medalist in the 200-meter race in Sydney, was to carry the torch on its last leg, lighting a cauldron marking the start of the Athens games.

Greek sprinters Katerina Thanou (left) and Kostas Kenteris pose with their membership cards of Olympiakos sports club in this June 6, 2006, file photo. (Newsports/AP)

Newsports/AP

Greek Olympian sprinters Katerina Thanou and Kostas Kenteris are on trial in Athens, accused of staging a motorcycle accident and then lying about it to avoid a doping test.

Thanou, who had won the silver medal in Sydney in the 100 meters, had also been listed as one of the final torchbearers, but both she and Kenteris were disqualified by the International Olympics Committee.

Both have since denied any wrongdoing. Their former coach, Christos Tzekos, faces charges of supplying the Olympians with banned substances, including ephedrine and androgen steroids.

Their trial began in January, but it was it was dogged by delays.

In his summation today, Athens prosecutor Giorgos Petros argued in favor of the sprinters' conviction, challenging the truth of their testimony.

"The police found no trace of an accident at the scene where the two athletes claimed it took place," he told the three-member tribunal, Reuters reported.

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After failing to show up for drug testing following the mysterious motorcycle accident, both athletes were treated for mild head injuries at Athens' KAT hospital. But Petros said today witness accounts did not confirm the athletes' claims that they had suffered head injuries.

The trial will continue with a closing statement by the defense before judges meet to decide on their ruling, which could come as early as next week, according to the BBC.

If convicted, Kenteris and Thanou face a maximum five-year prison sentence, but the prosecution has recommended their punishment be reduced on the grounds that their coach was mainly responsible for the scandal, USA Today reported.