ATHENS, Aug 16: The dope test scandal that has overtaken Greece's fastest man has left the Olympic hosts with a painful hangover, four years after sprinter Costas Kenteris shot to national stardom at the Sydney Games.
But few have a headache as big as Apostolos Athineos - he named his shipping line's flag ship after the runner following Kenteris's shock Olympic victory in the 200 metres. "We are shocked, disappointed and very, very sad," Athineos, the chief executive of Nel Lines, told Reuters.
But for now at least he has no plans to paint out the name from the hull of the "Eolos Kenteris", the high-speed ferry that links the athlete's home island of Lesbos to Athens.
"Kenteris is from our island and the news about him facing a ban is just terrible," Athineos said. "But for now we have no intention of changing the name." Kenteris and training partner Katerina Thanou face being banned from their sport and possible criminal charges after missing eve-of-Games drugs tests on Thursday.
Greece also boasts airliners and roads named for Kenteris. "But what's in a name?" Athineos asked. "We have streets named after Winston Churchill or the former Greek kings and queens and they're not all heroes to everyone, right?" "Kenteris was our pride and joy. I even know his parents very well and we live nearby," he added. "We are just stunned." -Reuters
