Greek duo: Were they right to withdraw?

Greek national sporting hero Kostas Kenteris and training partner Ekaterini Thanou have withdrawn from the Olympic Games.

Kenteris, who is the reigning Olympic 200m champion and Thanou, who won silver in the 100 metres, had been at the centre of a scandal over a missed drugs test which had overshadowed the start of the Games in Athens.

They announced their decisions to pull out after appearing at an International Olympic Committee hearing. Kenteris said "In the interests of the country I am withdrawing from the Games,"

The IOC has decided to take no further action against the pair and has referred the case to the world athletics body, the IAAF.

Were the athletes right to withdraw? Should they be banned from competition? Has the scandal damaged the Games?

This debate is now closed. Read a selection of your comments below.

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The following comments reflect the balance of opinion we have received:

They are both a disgrace to their country. As a Greek abroad I have no sympathy for them. The Olympic Games should mean more to Greek athletes. Kostas and Ekaterini have no place in the Olympic Games. To accept their coward actions is a slap in the face of our ancestors.
John Lazoglou, Sydney, Australia

If they had not used drugs, they should have fought it to the bitter end. Because they withdrew, the implication is that they were guilty and sought to avoid the full consequences. It's too bad. Justifications about how everybody does it, and it's impossible to win without drugs, is not an excuse, but points to the sorry state of personal integrity in our society.
Doug, Sacramento, CA

The pair probably withdrew mainly because they were put under huge pressure by their national association not to compete and have Greece and the Athens Olympics forever associated with drug scandals. I do think they were right to withdraw - but they should probably have done it several years ago. Kederis only shows up for major championships and is never to be found at other times, while Thanou's musculature and complexion have always invited suspicion.

I'm sorry to seem to be condemning people who haven't been found guilty of anything, but I have been sickened over the years by cheats ruining the sport I love. And when confronted, they just lie. My guess is that Kederis and Thanou were panicked by the announcements that HGH could now be tested for, and that samples would be kept for as long as necessary to keep re-testing them. They didn't want that to happen, missed the test and started acting weird.
Gary Winter, Brighton, England

The Greeks can be proud of the rest of their national team and need to keep this in perspective John Muller, DuPage County, Illinois, USA

Yes, the athletes were right to withdraw, and now they can take their chances with the IAAF concerning any future ban. This year's Games remain untarnished, and such incidents only strengthen and reaffirm the image and integrity of the IOC and its rules and procedures. The Greeks have worked hard to make these games happen. They can be proud of the rest of their national team and need to keep this in perspective: these are only sports and games, after all.
John Muller, DuPage County, Illinois, USA

It's no different than someone resigning from their job instead of being sacked. Most people in their position would withdraw under the circumstances.
Darren Drummond, Whitburn, West Lothian

I think they were right to withdraw so that this embarrassment can finally come to an end. They should have withdrawn straight away and not let this story overshadow the first week of the games. As a Greek I'm deeply frustrated over this, and there is no doubt in my mind that they are guilty. But this is no cover-up: the IOC may not be able to punish them as they no longer participate to the Olympics but the IAAF certainly will. Their careers are effectively through.
Dennis, UK

They withdraw from the games for the good of their country, yet complain they were treated unfairly. If they really had nothing to hide, they should have shown the courage to face the IOC.
Gerry Noble, Salisbury, UK

All of their dodging and weaving around the IOC investigation hardly represents the actions of people who have nothing to hide. They have twice obtained a postponement of the hearing, and now they have avoided it completely by withdrawing from the Games. Such is the doubt, now, over their honesty that, if I were an athlete, I would not want to compete with either of these two.
David Hazel, Fareham, UK

You know what they say, if you've broken the law, give in yourself, the punishment will be minimized. I guess they realized this and gave in. If they want to use drugs, tell them to join WWE, they'll fit in there nicely. These days no one is doing anything by the books....WHY? Is following the law and rules becoming boring???
Farhan, Manchester

In my opinion the athletes, any high ranking athlete, has no right to withdraw the Olympic Games Panos , Athens , Greece

In my opinion the athletes, any high ranking athlete, has no right to withdraw the Olympic Games. Countries and tax payers are investing a lot of money and pride on such athletes. They should therefore go all the way and let the IOC decide by vote what is right and what is wrong. Both of them have a history of good athletic records and have passed doping examinations dozen of times. Kenteris latest exam was in June. The main issue here is 'Have they been on dope or not?' and not why they have missed a drugs test. It seems that we are not going to get the answer to this.
Panos , Athens , Greece

As a Greek I must confess I feel at the very least uncomfortable with the whole story. The fact of the matter is that we do not know what happened. You can be certain that they will not be found doped and they will blame the managing members of the Greek team for not notifying them in time. One thing is certain, they should have withdrawn much earlier and save us the embarrassment.
Kostas Panagiotou, Manchester, UK

Many of us have been drawing conclusions on speculations and sarcastic comments of the media. Stelios, Fleet/UK

This is the Olympic Games not the Kenteris or Thanou Games, this is what most people seem to forget. Many of us have been drawing conclusions on speculations and sarcastic comments of the media. The fact is that they have missed a drug test, and whether that is their fault or the Greek officials fault it is the right decision for them to withdraw and finish that media frenzy. Whether they are guilty or not it remains to be seen and personally I find it very disappointing to read so many articles about how they have taken drugs when nothing has been proven yet. If guilty then I would be happy to see two cheats to be banned, but I believe in "innocent until proved guilty" based on facts and not rumours and speculations. To conclude there are another 9,998 athletes giving their heart these days and focus should be given to them and their efforts, they deserve that much.
Stelios, Fleet/UK

It all seems highly suspicious to me. The timing, the pair's track record with missed tests recently, the time spent in hospital, the police investigation into the alleged motorcycle crash, it all seems a bit too much to sweep under the carpet of innocent mistake. Their games have definitely been irrevocably tainted, and as ambassadors of their sport and country it should not have happened. I think they took the easy route out by withdrawing, after all, if you are innocent, why withdraw? To me, where there is smoke, there is fire.
Adrian Smith, London, England

By withdrawing their accreditation, they are trying to save face. By missing the test, which we all know is mandatory, they have subjected themselves to the riddle they have brought on their country and themselves. They need to be punished for that. Ignorance is not an excuse under the law.
Ayo Olowo, London

Had they tried to enter the games they would have had a finger of doubt pointed at them Simon Mansell, Penzance

Yes, they were right to pull out. Had they tried to enter the games they would have had a finger of doubt pointed at them and it would have ruined the games. By withdrawing now they have at least saved some face - Premiership players please note!
Simon Mansell, Penzance

I smell a cover up. 5 days in hospital and yet no visible injuries, that surely is a miraculous recovery. The IOC hinted that if the athletes were tested in a hospital the result could be engineered. I suggest the pair were pressurised by their own governing bodies to withdraw and save the host nation from scandal. The IOC is pandering to the host by not pushing for action against the pair.
Duncan, Manchester

These two have been treated very unfairly Emmanuel Quartey, Tema, Ghana

These two have been treated very unfairly, and the blame lies with the IOC and the media. Every attempt to prove their innocence has been met with ridicule. They've already been condemned without even the hearing coming to an end. They knew they were fighting a losing battle, and that's why they dropped out.
Emmanuel Quartey, Tema, Ghana.

You have to feel sorry for the people of Greece. After making such an effort to finish on time and show off their great country to the world, they are in danger of becoming a laughing stock. We should not let the actions of a few overshadow what will be a great sporting event.
Alex Walker, Witchampton, England

I believe it is correct that they withdrew from the games. I am Greek, and the last thing I want is to look up and admire athletes that are cheating. Even if they had not taken any substances, they way they handled the whole case is a disgrace; its like they wanted to be accused. As others mentioned earlier, it is the best decision for the games. Other athletes, beware!
George Teriakidis, UAE, Dubai

If you don't turn up for an exam you don't get any marks, if you don't turn up for work you (shouldn't) get paid, if you don't tax your car you can't drive. If athletes don't turn up for mandatory tests they shouldn't compete. Simple.
David, UK

This whole story smells of a rat! These two athletes should undergo the drugs test immediately anyway. If they do not, then they should be banned from the sport for the maximum term. This whole furore is either a well orchestrated and elaborated Olympic organisers PR exercise, or just further evidence of how rotten the Olympics is actually.
Sean, Brussels, Belgium, ex South African

They should have been tested while they were in hospital Julie Ettenfield, Menston UK

It seems very convenient that they were both in an accident together; I think it has been a big cover up by the Greeks and they should have been tested while they were in hospital. They should still be investigated and if found guilty then they should be banned from the sport. Why can't people just be honest and fair it is very sad that they have to cheat as they are only cheating themselves.
Julie Ettenfield, Menston UK

I love Greece and I was delighted to see the games come in on time and I would like to see the hosts do well. I am therefore saddened that their two greatest stars think they can retain the old corrupt ways of Greece and walk away unblemished. In spite of them Athens has put on a great show and I hope Greece continues to do well in the games now they won't be playing their 'jokers'.
David Purveur, Norwell, Notts. UK

Why withdraw from the games when they insist they are innocent of taking drugs? It does not make much sense to me. Why is it a scandal? More a media circus I would say.
Richard, London UK

The only aspect of this case, so far, that deserves attention is the inexplicable media furore it has caused Virginia Symeonidou, Athen

How can this question be asked when the facts of the case have not been made known yet. Being Greek I have been reading reports both in my country and in the UK and the media reports are totally conflicting- opinions can only be formed depending on which reporter you want to believe. The only aspect of this case, so far, that deserves attention is the inexplicable media furore it has caused. I only think it is a shame that there are people who missed the games because of these media reports.
Virginia Symeonidou, Athens

Far from damaging the Games, this shows the strength of the resolve of the IOC to rid all sports of drug offences, and sends a clear message to all athletes. This is a battle to be won, and we must not give in to the average journalist's view that the war has been lost, so we might as well give up trying. There are sadly too many major sports which are not yet taking drug abuse seriously on a day to day basis, but athletics, cycling, swimming have been doing so for the longest and with the greatest determination, and are producing visible results. We can only look forward to the likes of tennis, soccer, etc getting their act together with any seriousness.
Phil Sears, Dorking UK

If it's an attempt to meliorate the (rightful) wrath of the IOC's investigative committee, then yes, they were correct to withdraw. It has been an embarrassing episode for the pair and an appropriate ban should be forthcoming immediately.
Colin, London, England

I think they've made a good decision. These are the Olympic Games and as such there is likely to be no leniency at all over missed drugs tests, and rightly so. At least this way the athletes can save face.
Adrian, Stamford, England

Without hearing the reasons why the pair missed the drugs test I think it is difficult to comment on whether they should be banned or not. That said, I think the incident has moved some focus away from the important part of the games, the events and competitions themselves. As a result, I think the pair have done the honourable thing by withdrawing.
John, Farnborough, England

They should be banned for missing the test and told to take an immediate test or face a life time ban.
Alex Moon, Reading, UK

They may not have taken any banned substance, but failing to submit for testing is just as bad Phil, UK

No matter who they are, all cheats must be banned to preserve the integrity of sport. They may not have taken any banned substance, but failing to submit for testing is just as bad. Have they not heard of Rio Ferdinand? Just a pity they have heaped shame on Greece and the Olympics in general.
Phil, UK

Evading a single test is sufficient grounds for a ban. And this isn't the first time, if media reports are true. The two are in a big hole and - by withdrawing - have just stopped digging. We might wonder whether other high profile (US) athletes absent from the Games due to "illness" or "injury", have done the same. We should applaud the persistence of the testing authorities and support the IOC's tough decisions.
Andy, UK

When Rio Ferdinand missed a drugs test he was banned for 8 months - what's the difference in this case? It seems too much of a coincidence that they both missed the test and then were involved in an 'accident'. If they had nothing to hide - why withdraw? Sounds like a cover up!!
Andy Lavelle, Stone, Staffs