(ATR) Rumors are starting to swirl in Athens over the possibility that high profile U.S. athletes are being sought after IOC drug testers could not find them for testing in the Olympic Village.
Under pointed questioning from the Greek media, IOC Communications Director Giselle Davies refused to provide any confirmation to the rumors and defended the IOC?s handling of the case of sprinters Costas Kenteris and Katerina Thanou.
The questioning from the Greek media focused on whether Kenteris and Thanou are unfairly being exposed to public attention for missing a drug test, while, they suggested, other athletes are escaping scrutiny.
The rumors may be based on truth ? or they could be popping up as a way for supporters of the two sprinters to try to even the score.
Davies tried hard to make the distinction that the two athletes were under watch by the IOC for violating the specific rule on being available for testing, which requires missing two tests before action is taken.
Davies would not respond to direct questions about whether any U.S. athletes were being sought for dug testing, saying only that one case, that of the Greeks, is under IOC review.
Kenteris and Thanou are expected to be out of hospital today where they have been treated for injuries from a reported motorcycle crash that happened soon after they allegedly missed an Olympic Village test last week.
The two are supposed to appear Wednesday before an IOC disciplinary commission to offer a defense of the charges against them, missing at least two attempts by the IOC to test them since July 30.
In comments published Monday in Greek sports newspaper, Kenteris denies he missed the test because he did not know about it.
If there are athletes missing drug tests ? and more than once to break the IOC rules ? they should become known soon. Track and field events begin Friday and athletes must be on the roster for their event by noon the day before.
Exclusive, on the scene coverage from Athens, for subscribers only, in Around the Rings.com
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