Athens, August 24 – The International Olympic Committee (IOC) today announced that discus thrower Robert Fazekas from Hungary has been excluded from the Games of the XXVIII Olympiad in Athens in 2004 for an anti-doping rules violation.  

Results after IOC decision:

Virgilijus Alekna (LTU) took the Olympic gold medal in the men's discus competition.

The reigning Olympic Champion immediately unleashead an Olympic record of 69.89m in round one, surpassing Lars Riedel's (GER) record 69.40m from Atlanta 1996.

Zoltan Kovago (HUN)  took the bronze medal place with a throw of 67.03.

Aleksander Tammert (EST) took the third place after round one with his opener of 66.66m.

Comments on the disqualification of Robert Fazekas

Robert Fazekas refused on 23 August to provide a complete urine sample after the men's discus throw final where he placed first. According to Article 2.3 of the IOC Anti-Doping Rules applicable to the 2004 Athens Olympic Games, 'refusing, or failing without compelling justification, to submit to sample collection after notification' is an anti-doping rule violation. The IOC Executive Board, after hearing the report of the Disciplinary Commission, this evening decided that Robert Fazekas - 

-          is disqualified from the men’s discus throw event, where he had placed first;

-          is not awarded a gold medal or diploma;

-          is excluded from the Games of the XXVIII Olympiad in Athens in 2004; and

-          shall have his Olympic identity and accreditation card withdrawn.

-          The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) is requested to modify the results of the above-noted event accordingly and to consider any further action within its own competence.

-          This decision shall enter into force immediately.

Virgilijus Alekna. Comment on the event:

Virgilijus Alekna

"It was like any other event. I knew I had to throw more than 70 metres to win the gold medal. I believe my throws were good, however you do not always win. Up until now, I managed to be consistent in my performance, throwing regularly and winning."

 Aleksander Tammert (EST) took the third place after round one with his opener of 66.66m and was able to keep his placing until the fourth round when Zoltan Kovago (HUN) overtook him for the bronze medal place with a throw of 67.03.

The Hungarian was able to keep his third place, although Tammert came close with his last throw which landed outside the sector.

Vasiliy Kaptykh (BLR) was fifth with 65.10m.

Women's Heptathlon : Kluft (SWE), Skujytë (LTU), Sotherton (GBR)  

Athens, 21 August -

Carolina Kluft (SWE) - gold medallist (6952 points)

Austra Skujytë (LTU) - silver medallist (6435 points)

Comment on her achievment:

"It's incredible. I can't believe it. I did not consider a silver as one of the possibilities.

On the final 800 metre race:

"I was a little worried about keeping my second spot, but I decided to just run my own race and not think about the others. I ended up with a personal best.

On the two days of competition:

"After the high jump I thought I'd screwed up again. My trainers and coaches talked to me and explained - with calculations - that a medal was still possible. With the shot put it got better and I was right on track after a personal best in the 200m."