Greek pole vaulter Eleni-Klaoudia Polak has been disqualified from the Paris 2024 Olympics after testing positive for banned substances, the IOC said. The Greek Olympic Committee said on Tuesday that a member of its team had been kicked out of the athletes’ village, but her identity has not yet been officially released.
The team was informed of the violation by the Greek Anti-Doping Agency on Monday, the same day it competed in the qualifiers.
Eleni-Klaoudia Polak cleared a height of 4.20m but did not qualify for the Wednesday’s final as she failed to clear 4.40m. She was listed as disqualified in the results. She denies that she intentionally used banned substances.
“Something was found in my sample a few days ago”, said Eleni-Klaoudia Polak in the mixed zone after competing in the qualifiers. “I’ve never taken supplements. It was under the ban, that’s why I competed. I have an iron problem and I have to eat red meat every day and it must have been in the meat. I just know that meat contains this substance”, added she.
Iraqi judoka Sajjad Sehen, Afghan judoka Faizada Mohammad Samim and African Games boxing champion Cynthia Ogunsemilore of Nigeria also tested positive in Paris.
