The International Olympic Committe (IOC) was not happy when they learned that one of the torch bearers for the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics is currently banned for violating one of their policies, taking of steroids. It got the media attention when a Greek athlete who is currently serving her suspension for 2 years participated in the torch relay for the Winter games in Canada. Emmanuelle Moreau, spokeswoman of the IOC issued a statement to the press that it is clearly indicated in the guidelines applicable to the relay that the torchbearer selection should be in respect of the Olympic Charter and its principles. “For example, people who have had their Olympic Games accreditation removed and/or who have been found guilty of doping offenses should not be permitted to run as a torchbearer,” she added.

Choosing hurdler Fani Halkia as one of the torchbearer is big mistake for the organizers. She completed one leg of the relay which started from Greece. She was also seen at the top when another athlete lit the cauldron on the steps of the Parthenon. Halkia is a gold medalist in the 400-meter hurdles at the 2004 Athens Olympics. In Beijing Olympics, she tested positive for a steroid which caused her 2-year ban. She was also charged in Greece with using steroids and sanctioned by the International Association of Athletic Federations. Methyltrienolone, a performance enhancer, is included in the banned substances under the IOC policy.

The Greek Olympic Committee apologized for this controversy. The president of the Olympic Torch Relay Commission, Spyros Zannias issued a press release saying that they were “mistaken” to include Fani Halkia in the event. He added that it is the HOC’s steady position that all athletes under penalty should not have the right to participate in any kind of activity and event.

Other Greek Olympic officials regret that this problem happened. Greek Association of Olympic winners president Giorgos Sigalas said that it is an honest mistake and nothing else. “It was my mistake for not checking the names of the list that was drafted here and was sent to the committee,” he said. The Hellenic Olympic Committee President was extremely angry about the incident. “You can say that I am very mad about this. It should not have happened,” said HOC president Spyros Capralos.

Greek athletes are not new to controversies. In the recent Olympics, there are several athletes who failed steroid tests. Sanctions related to steroid use are common on athletes in the track and field and other endurance and physical competitions. Most sports enthusiast agrees that including Halkia is not a good decision. However, it is now immaterial whether it was an honest mistake of the organizers or a deliberate mistake. It will now reflect how some olympic officials accepts the issue of using anabolic steroids in Olympics.

According to Moreau there is no doubt that the choice of Fani Halkia was inappropriate and a regrettable mistake. Vancouver Olympic Committee president John Furlong, on the other hand, was not bothered by the incident. “You know, we can’t let a moment in time like this throw a shadow on something that is far bigger than one person,” Furlong said.

It is already part of the tradition to lit the torch in Olympia Greece and travel throughout the country before passing it on to the host country. The Vancouver 2010 Olympic Torch Relay will be completed for 106 days and will travel 45,000 kilometre across Canada.