The Olympic gold medalist Fani Halkia was banned from competition for a period of two years by the Greek Athletics Federation for using the banned anabolic steroid methyltrienolone (”Halkia banned for two years for steroid use,” November 26).

Greek hurdler Fani Halkia has been suspended for two years, the Greek Athletics Federation (SEGAS) said. Halkia, who won the gold medal in the 400 metres hurdles at the 2004 Olympics in Athens, was barred from competing in the Beijing Games this year after testing positive for the banned steroid methyltrienolone. SEGAS said that at a board meeting on Wednesday, SEGAS ruled the ban was effective from August when Halkia was expelled from the Olympics.

Greek prosecutors initiated misdemeanor doping charges against Halkia several weeks ago. Halkia is one of 15 Greek athletes charged with using the banned steroid methyltrienolone. The head of the Greek Olympic Committee believes that the steroid use is a part of an organized doping effort in Greek athletics. Some of the accused have blamed the failed drug tests on a Greek doping conspiracy.