Brother of Olympic Legend Pyrros Dimas Arrested in Greece Doping Probe
Odysseas Dimas, brother of Olympic champion Pyrros Dimas, was arrested in Greece on charges of supplying banned doping substances, including to minor athletes.
A major scandal has shaken the Greek weightlifting community following the arrest of 58-year-old Odysseas Dimas, the brother of legendary former Olympic champion Pyrros Dimas. Greek authorities detained him on Thursday morning on suspicion of supplying prohibited performance-enhancing substances to athletes under his coaching.
According to police statements, the suspect has been purchasing and distributing banned substances to athletes since April 2024. The arrest resulted from an extensive joint investigation by the Financial Crime Squad, the Greek anti-doping agency, and the National Organization for Medicines.
Investigation Findings and Minor Athlete Involvement
Among the severe findings uncovered by investigators is the case of a minor athlete who allegedly received a prohibited substance during a competition. A subsequent urine test detected oxandrolone, a substance strictly banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). Consequently, disciplinary suspensions have already been imposed on both the coach and the athlete.
During raids conducted at the suspect's residence and various sports facilities across Attica, law enforcement officers seized 871 items. The confiscations included pills, ampoules of medical preparations suspected of being doping agents, 17 athlete cards, handwritten notes, a mobile phone, and 15,000 euros in cash.
Police Statements and Legal Proceedings
Greek police noted that, according to the National Organization for Medicines, the seized preparations are unauthorized for use in the Greek market and pose significant health risks to users. Dimas has been transferred to prosecuting authorities as the criminal investigation continues.
