Sprinters vow to clear names

The Greek sprinters at the centre of the Olympics drugs scandal were leaving hospital today protesting their innocence.

Kostas Kenteris and Katerini Thanou face an International Olympic Committee disciplinary hearing tomorrow after failing to turn up for a doping test.

Today they were due to leave hospital after five days following a mysterious motorbike accident which happened only hours after they missed the test on Thursday.

Kenteris, 31, who had been expected to light the Olympic flame as Greece's greatest ever athlete, said he was determined to clear his name.

"I will fight to the last drop of my blood to defend myself," he said. If he proves his innocence tomorrow, along with training partner Thanou, 29, he would be cleared to run in the 200 metres next week, of which he is the reigning champion.

Today his coach, Christos Tzekos, said the IOC would be shown evidence that the pair had not known about the test. Even if they are cleared they still face a criminal investigation into the motorcycle crash.