Top Greek athletics official suspended for doping-related cover-up

Thursday, January 25th 2007, 9:36 am

By: News On 6

ATHENS, Greece (AP) _ Greece's top athletics official has been suspended for 2 1/2 years for his involvement in an alleged cover-up of a doping-related incident involving a Greek athlete.

Vassilis Sevastis, the president of the Greek amateur athletics federation SEGAS, was given the suspension by the Greek Olympic Committee late last week.

Sevastis was allegedly involved in covering up an incident involving former Greek high jumper Lambros Papakostas, who was arrested in Sweden last August for using cocaine. Papakostas was banned for five years.

On Thursday, Sevastis called the decision ``abominable.''

``I express my indignation and disgust at what is happening in Greek sports and especially within the (Greek Olympic Committee),'' Sevastis said, adding that he had no chance to offer a defense because supporting documents were disregarded for being submitted too late.

Sevastis can appeal the decision.