FALLEN HERO

It's the calm before the storm today.

Costas Kenteris and Katerina Thanou are due before an IOC disciplinary hearing tomorrow morning and a media scrum of Olympic proportions is guaranteed.

Kenteris protested his innocence as he left hospital this afternoon, after five days of treatment following a mysterious motorbike accident.

"I've suffered a great injustice," he said.

"With all sincerity, I have never made use of illegal substances."

What's most depressing about the whole Kenteris affair is the way it has dented Greek national pride.

Greeks are hugely proud of the fact that the Olympics have returned to the country of their birth. They're proud that they've confounded the many sceptics who didn't believe they would be able to organise such a massive event.

The Games should have been their greatest achievement.

The Kenteris scandal, though, is casting a long shadow.

Many Greeks feel they've been betrayed by one of their own.

Some people I've spoken to want to believe Kenteris. They say he's innocent until proven guilty and should be given a chance to explain himself.

Others, though feel insulted and let down. They'll never forgive Kenteris.