Greek Olympic official admits error in letting dope-tainted hurdler carry Vancouver flame

Greek official acknowledges Halkia torch mistake

ATHENS, Greece — The Greek Olympic Committee has acknowledged that it was wrong to allow a hurdler serving a doping ban to take part in the Vancouver flame relay.

Olympic Torch Relay Commission president Spyros Zannias says Fani Halkia was included in the relay after a proposal by the Greek Olympic medallists’ association. Zannias said his commission “was wrong to accept the proposal,” but offered no apology.

The International Olympic Committee has criticized the inclusion of Halkia, who was expelled from the 2008 Beijing Games after testing positive for steroid use. Halkia, who was banned for two years and faces a trial for steroid use, has denied knowingly taking drugs.

She is a board member of the medallists’ association.