Christos Tzekos, coach of the two Greek sprinters who were forced to withdraw from the Athens 2004 Games because they missed an anti-doping test under suspicious circumstances, testified Monday before prosecutors investigating the case.
The coach is under investigation for nutritional supplements that were found in his warehouse and which the National Pharmaceutical Organization (EOF) says contain anabolics and steroids.
Tzekos said in a memo that the supplements had been imported legally, although he admitted that they did not have the necessary permit from the EOF, meaning he was not allowed to distribute, sell or administer the supplements to anyone.
Referring to the sprinters Costas Kenteris and Katerina Thanou, he said, “in the 10 years that I have been a coach I have spent endless hours coaching these kids. They have got tired and suffered. Anxiety and weariness have been their companions and nothing else”.
He said he never gave them any pharmaceutical substances. Kenteris has severed ties with Tzekos.
Tzekos denied any relationship with the US BALCO laboratory, which is suspected of supplying athletes with illegal substances.
