Greek sprinters accept they violated dope rules

LONDON, June 26 (Reuters) Greek sprinters Konstantinos Kenteris and Ekaterina Thanou have accepted they violated anti-doping rules by missing three drugs tests prior to the 2004 Athens Olympics.

In a statement on its Web site today, the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) said the pair would be eligible to compete again on December. 22 this year.

The IAAF provisionally suspended the two Greeks on December. 22 2004.

''The proceedings are now at an end,'' the statement said.

''The parties are pleased in the interests of the sport that this long-running dispute has been brought to a conclusion.'' Kenteris, the 200 metres gold medallist at the 2000 Sydney Olympics and Thanou, who won the women's 100 metres silver medal, were withdrawn from the Athens Olympics on the eve of the Games.

A Court of Arbitration (CAS) hearing into an appeal by the two Greeks against their suspension had been scheduled to start in Lausanne today.

REUTERS PDS RK2008