News Round-up: Greek sprinters Kostas Kenteris and Ekaterini Thanou came out of hospital after a mysterious motorcycle crash which left Kenteris with scratches and Thanou with no visible injuries, according to a medical report.

A judicial source said a report by Athens' top medical examiner said Kenteris, a gold medallist at the Sydney Olympics, had some scratches on the shin and the right elbow.

However, the source said both athletes, the host country's best medal hopes at the Games, had complained of dizziness, and the examiner's inspection on Monday could not rule out internal head injuries.

The initial hospital report had said Thanou had suffered abdominal injuries and a sprain to the right leg, while Kenteris had slight head injuries, a sprain to the vertebra at the back of his neck, a knee sprain and scratches to the right leg.

"Filipos Koutsaftis has completed his medical examination of the athletes as ordered by the state prosecutor Dimitris Papangelopoulos," the source said. "He did not find any injuries to Thanou and only minor injuries to Kenteris."

Papangelopoulos had sent Koutsaftis to check on the athletes after some media questioned the accident and its causes.

The report became public a few hours after the two were driven away from an Athens hospital, their first public appearance since missing dope tests on Thursday. They said the crash happened in the early hours of Friday.

They also face a criminal investigation by a Greek state prosecutor.

"It's a big injustice, I have never used banned substances - honestly," Kenteris told reporters swarming around his car. "All these people who crucify me on TV are the same people who wanted to be photographed with me after every success.

"But after crucifixion comes resurrection."

Already suspended by Greek sports officials, the training partners are due to attend an International Olympic Committee (IOC) hearing today that could lead to them being banned from the Games and subsequently for at least a year.

Kenteris left alone just before 2 p.m. (local time), to be followed later by Thanou.

"I feel very saddened and disappointed by all that has been said. I will wait for the IOC decision tomorrow and will continue to fight on," said Thanou, a silver medallist in Sydney. "I will continue to fight for the country I love."

No other vehicles were involved in the crash on the eve of the opening ceremony and no witnesses have come forward.

As he left hospital, Kenteris thanked his fans for their support.

"I would like to say thank you to all the thousands of fans that have loved me, still love me and have shown me their love and support with hundreds of letters, calls, emails and flowers," he said as he was about to be driven away.

In other news, the US rebounded from a shock opening game loss to narrowly beat Greece 77-71 at the men's basketball tournament last night. Humbled by a 92-73 loss to Puerto Rico on Sunday, the US team tried to pass more and play the team game coach Larry Brown said was lacking.

The Americans continued to shoot poorly from the outside but still managed a six-point lead at half-time in front of a hostile crowd that booed the US players every time they touched the ball and shook the rafters with each Greek score.

The lead quickly evaporated in the first minute of the second half, but then Tim Duncan went on a rampage, scoring 13 points in six minutes. But he also picked up a couple of quick fouls and was forced to sit, allowing Greece to pull back to within one point with six minutes to play.

But the Greeks could not find the mark when they needed to most, missing several open shots near the end.