Thanou set for Olympics

Controversial Greek sprinter Katerina Thanou has decided she wants to compete at the Athens Olympics.

The 33-year-old ran Greece's B qualifying time for the 100m in Crete on Monday and has been named in the country's provisional Olympic squad.

Thanou had been uncertain about whether or not to go for the Games following a spate of niggling injuries and concern at the publicity her appearance would arouse.

But Undercover Sport has been told that Thanou is now almost certain to compete in Beijing, by her lawyer Gregory Ioannidis.

Because make no doubt about it, an appearance by Thanou in Beijing will provoke worldwide controversy.

She and compatriot Kostas Kenteris both missed drugs tests on the eve of the Athens Olympics four years ago.

It was the third time they had missed tests, resulting in a two-year suspension that expired at the end of 2006.

The pair still face criminal charges of perjury and falsifying evidence in Greece after claiming they had been injured in a motorcycle crash on the eve of the Games.

One person who might be grateful for a Beijing appearance by Thanou would be Dwain Chambers, as it would deflect some of the flak away from him...