Greek Sprinter Thanou Wins in Return
By Associated Press
February 3, 2007, 10:49 AM CST
ATHENS, Greece – Greek sprinter Katerina Thanou won at the Greek indoor championships on Saturday in her first race since a two-year ban was lifted in December.
The 32-year-old Thanou won the 60 meters in 7.28 seconds.
“I’m very pleased to compete once again. I’m not happy or unhappy about my time, all I wanted was to be on starting line again,” Thanou said. "I never stopped training, all I could think about was returning. I just want to keep on training and competing "
Thanou was suspended with fellow Greek sprinter Kostas Kenteris (edit) on the eve of the 2004 Athens Olympics. They claimed they were in a motorcycle accident the same evening.
The IAAF reinstated the runners in December following the suspension.
Thanou’s lawyer Nikos Kollias said last month she would use the Greek event to prepare for the European Indoor Championships held March 2-4 in Birmingham, England.
Thanou won the silver medal in the 100 at the 2000 Sydney Olympics