He wasn't a complete outsider, but most casual track fans certainly weren't paying much attention to Konstantinos Kenteris (GRE) in the lead-up to the 200 meters at Sydney 2000. Although he was the fastest European in the event during the season, all anticipating eyes were focused on Michael Johnson (USA, the defending champion) and Maurice Greene (USA, the World Champion). When neither competed, attention was then diverted to John Capel (USA), the Olympic Trials winner and then the fastest qualifier from the semifinals. When Capel hitched his stride in the start of the final, the door was open for Kenteris, who went on to win in 20.09, the fastest time at those Olympics. His victory was somewhat substantiated with subsequent victories at the 2001 Worlds and the 2002 European Championships.
Proverbially 'never failing a doping test', Kenteris nevertheless caused many doubts of his success' legitimacy through his mysteriously missed tests and the bizarre circumstances of his withdrawal from the 2004 Games, and the subsequent confusing and seemingly never-ending courtroom dramas to understand what happened. It's a shame, really, that this is the footnote. Aside from the potential disgrace of his possibly having won while doping, for me he also had represented a breath of fresh air to the sprinting scene. A European champion in an era of American and Caribbean domination was a welcome change for fans like me who tend to root for underdogs and unexpected winners. I'll do my best to remember that, and the glory from 2000. But it's hard.
Proverbially 'never failing a doping test', Kenteris nevertheless caused many doubts of his success' legitimacy through his mysteriously missed tests and the bizarre circumstances of his withdrawal from the 2004 Games, and the subsequent confusing and seemingly never-ending courtroom dramas to understand what happened. It's a shame, really, that this is the footnote. Aside from the potential disgrace of his possibly having won while doping, for me he also had represented a breath of fresh air to the sprinting scene. A European champion in an era of American and Caribbean domination was a welcome change for fans like me who tend to root for underdogs and unexpected winners. I'll do my best to remember that, and the glory from 2000. But it's hard.
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