updated 3:55 p.m. ET Aug. 27, 2004

ATHENS, Greece - Greek sprinter Kostas Kenteris was overwhelmed by the outpouring of support in his absence at Olympic Stadium.

Thousands of fans chanted his name Thursday night at the 200-meter sprint, an event Kenteris pulled out of after missing a drug test.

“When I heard all these people — the thousands of people — shout my name, it was the most beautiful thing that I have heard in recent years,” Kenteris told the TV Mytilini channel.

The race was held up for four minutes while fans chanted, whistled and jeered the athletes who competed. Kenteris, one of Greece’s biggest sports heroes, was the defending champion of the race, which was won by Shawn Crawford of the United States.

“I feel that I have done nothing wrong and I feel that many people have come out and accused me in public,” Kenteris said. “I feel disgusted for what they said about me.”

Kenteris and Katerina Thanou, who took silver in the 100 meters in Sydney, could not be found at the Olympic Village for an Aug. 12 drug test. Hours later, they said they were involved in a motorcycle accident as they were rushing back to the village to be tested. They spent four days in the hospital and later withdrew from the Olympics.

Greek authorities have launched an investigation into the traffic accident, as well as the business activities of their coach, Christos Tsekos, who maintained a food supplements company in Athens. Track’s governing body is also investigating whether Kenteris and Thanou repeatedly tried to avoid drug testing.

Kenteris said the recent outburst of support by Greeks has strengthend him and he promised to compete once again under the Greek flag.

“Yesterday’s expression of love gives me the strength and courage to fight in these difficult times in order to be present again in the stadiums,” he said.

MORE FROM TRACK AND FIELD

Track and field Section Front

Track great show, but without star Capel gets warning after positive drug test Hungarian Olympians given 2-year bans Williams-Darling's unbeaten streak ends Marion won't race for rest of year Celizic: Two marathon golds only answer Interactive: Rising stars of track & field NBCO: World and Olympic records NBCO: Inside the sport Medal winners Track and field Section Front   Add Track and field headlines to your news reader: