Athletics: Disgraced Greek sprinters Costas Kenteris and Katerina Thanou have sent explanations to the governing body of world athletics as to why they missed doping tests at the Athens Olympics in August.

The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) charged the sprinters this month for missing the drugs tests.

Their former coach, Christos Tzekos, has also been charged with distributing prohibited substances and tampering with the doping control process.

The IAAF said yesterday it had received written explanations from Kenteris and Thanou.

"These explanations have been circulated to the IAAF's Doping Review Board," a statement by the body said. "Following a careful review of all the documents, the Doping Review Board will reach its decision as to whether the explanations are acceptable in the next few days.

"If the explanations are unacceptable, in accordance with IAAF Rules, the athletes will be provisionally suspended pending a hearing before a disciplinary tribunal in Greece."

The IAAF said Tzekos had been granted an extension of time to provide his explanation until December 21st.

Kenteris and Thanou were charged on Thursday, December 2nd following an extensive three-month inquiry.

Greek prosecutors last month charged the sprinters with repeatedly obstructing doping officials after they failed to appear at scheduled drugs tests in Chicago and Tel Aviv shortly before the Games, and again in Athens on August 12th on the eve of the Games' opening ceremony.

They were also charged with faking a midnight motorcycle crash which led to them spending four days in hospital as the IAAF sought to question them.

Additionally, some hospital staff were charged with writing up false medical reports.

The sprinters could face a ban of up to two years, but under IAAF rules they could appeal against any decision of the Greek Federation to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).