Greek sprinter to run at Euro indoors in first major race since end of ban

Greek sprinter Katerina Thanou will compete at this weekend's European Indoor Championships in her first race outside Greece since the end of a two-year doping-related ban.

Photo: Greek sprinter to run at Euro indoors in first major race since end of ban

The 32-year-old Thanou, who was suspended after missing a drug test on the eve of the 2004 Athens Olympics, will run the 60 meters at the meet which starts Friday in Birmingham, England.

Greece's Amateur Athletic Association announced Thanou's selection on Monday after she won the 60 at the national indoor championships on Feb. 3 in 7.28 seconds.

Thanou was suspended along with another Greek sprinter, Kostas Kenteris, after they failed to report for doping controls at the Athens Games. The pair claimed they were in a motorcycle accident the same evening.

The IAAF reinstated the two Greek runners in December. Kenteris has not raced since his reinstatement, reports AP.

Thanou won the 60 at the 2000 European Indoors, the same year she took the silver medal in the 100 at the Sydney Olympics.