ATHENS, Greece August 18 - Konstantinos KEDERIS and Ekaterini THANOU have withdrawn from the Olympic Games after meeting with the IOC's Disciplinary Commission this morning where they answered allegations that they had violated the IOC's anti-doping rules on the afternoon of Thursday, 12 August.  

 KEDERIS and THANOU appeared before the Commission with their coach Christos TZEKOS and lawyer Michalis DIMITRAKOUPOLOS.

 "I am innocent of all charges," said KEDERIS after the hearing.

 "I have decided to withdraw from the Olympic Games and am announcing the end of my cooperation with Christos TZEKOS."

 THANOU appearing before reporters after KEDERIS stated: "I submitted my accreditation to the IOC's Disciplinary Commission and will not be competing.

 "With the love of the public, I will continue taking part in track and field competition.

 "Doping was never discussed during the Commission's hearing, only procedural matters.

 "Good luck to the rest of the Greek athletes that are taking part in the Games being organised by Greece."

 According to press reports, KEDERIS and THANOU claimed at the hearing that they were never notified to undergo a doping test on Thursday afternoon. 

 Also appearing before reporters after the hearing, TZEKOS stated that KEDERIS and THANOU had never used any illegal substances and had always been available to undergo doping tests when notified, including notifications by WADA (the World Anti Doping Agency).

 The IOC's Disciplinary Commission was comprised of Messrs Denis OSWALD, Thomas BACH and Sergey BUBKA.