IT was inevitable that the issue of drugs would rear its ugly head at the Olympic Games in Athens.

No-one, however, could foresee an incident involving two Greek superstars, missed tests and a mysterious road accident to which there were no witnesses.

The antics of Kostas Kenteris and Katerina Thanou have cast a shadow not only over the opening ceremony but also the first week of the Games.

To its credit, the International Olympic Committee has tried to deal with this matter swiftly, but has been prevented from doing so by the two athletes under investigation.

It is imperative that the issue is cleared up at the next scheduled hearing tomorrow, before the athletics programme gets under way.

If there are genuine attempts to rid sport of the scourge of drug-taking, then the IOC must take swift and decisive action when violations are reported.

Too often in the past there has been a suspicion that the authorities have covered up drug taking to protect the image of themselves and leading athletes.

Complacency can no longer be tolerated.

The credibility of sport depends on drug-takers being detected and the cheats brought to justice. No countries and no athletes must be above scrutiny.

Positive tests and bans will enhance, not tarnish, the Olympic movement. They will show that sport is at long last determined to get rid of cheats.

Kostas Kenteris and Katerina Thanou may be sporting stars of David Beckham proportion in their own country, but they must not be seen to be above the integrity of the sport which has given them fame and fortune.