THE Olympic Games opened last night with a Greek golden boy athlete lying injured in hospital and facing a drug investigation on Monday.

Kostas Kenteris missed a drug test but the explanation for his non-appearance was later given that he had been involved in a motorbike accident.

It plunged the Olympics into a drug cheat controversy as world leaders gathered for the spectacular opening ceremony.

Prime Minister Tony Blair, visiting the British team before attending the opening ceremony, said it should not spoil the Olympic spirit.

"Its an issue we have got to deal with," he said. "I don't think it will interfere with people's enjoyment of the Games."

Greek "God" Kenteris was tipped to light the Olympic torch as his nation proudly welcomed home the Games with a ceremony watched by a TV audience of four billion people.

Instead, the host nation's favourite athlete is facing a possible automatic two-year ban for missing the test, and the furore doused the flames of Olympic spirit before the Games even began.

Kenteris will now go before the disciplinary commission of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to face allegations that he broke anti-doping rules, despite missing - rather than failing - a drugs test.

The Olympic 200 metres champion, and fellow athlete Katerina Thanou, were not present at the Olympic village on Thursday night when anti-doping agents turned up to conduct drug tests.

Despite a search, the pair had disappeared, but the Greek Olympic team pleaded for more time to find them. It was later revealed they were both lying injured in hospital following a motorbike accident.

Their injuries are not serious, but Kenteris is wearing a neck brace and both will be kept in hospital for another 48 hours for observation.

Kenteris and Thanou, herself an Olympic silver medallist and Greek favourite, were declared unfit to leave by doctors.

Olympic supremo Dr Jacques Rogge commented for the first time on the missed drugs tests and asked for patience as an inquiry began.

"The IOC has launched a disciplinary inquiry into these cases and I, of course, have not got the results yet," said the IOC president.

"We are waiting for the results and the executive committee will make a decision about that."

Under anti-doping rules, as in the case of England footballer Rio Ferdinand, not being present at the specified time to give a blood or urine sample is a violation of the rules, even if no drugs violation is found.