Greek sprinter Katerina Thanou appeared in an Athens court on Monday on charges that she and fellow sprinter Costas Kenderis staged a motorcycle accident to avoid taking a doping test on the eve of the 2004 Olympics .
“I have been waiting for seven years for this day in court, to explain how things were, as I experienced them and as they really happened,” Thanou said outside the courthouse.
The trial started in January after years of postponements.
Speaking to the panel of three judges, Thanou reiterated the sprinters’ account, saying that they fell off a bike lent by coach Christos Tzekos as they were heading for the Olympic Village after learning they had missed a doping test and were taken to the hospital by a passing motorist.
Kenteris was not in court, and a lawyer representing him said the former sprinter would not be appearing due to family health problems.
The court adjourned the case until April 5.
See all the latest news from Greece and the world at Greekreporter.com. Contact our newsroom to report an update or send your story, photos and videos. Follow GR on Google News and subscribe here to our daily email!
