A Greek champion, previously accused of doping, was vindicated a decade later after the supplement company was held accountable.

The Athens Court of Appeals awarded financial compensation of thousands of euros to Michalis Stamatogiannis, former shot put champion, for a doping case that had resulted in his two-year ban from competitions.

The case revolved around the use of the banned substance “stanozolol,” which was found in a dietary supplement consumed by the athlete, without any indication of the substance being listed in the product’s ingredients.

According to the court’s decision, the product was deemed defective because its manufacturing process led to contamination with the banned substance. The Swiss company that produced the supplement and the Greek company that imported it were found responsible for distributing this dangerous product.

The Court of Appeals ruled that the athlete was unaware that the product contained the banned substance, and for this reason, he was exonerated.

Michalis Stamatogiannis had filed a lawsuit against the company responsible for the incriminated dietary supplement. While his case was initially rejected by the first court, it was later accepted by the Court of Appeals.

Severe Consequences During Two-Year Ban

During the two-year suspension, the athlete faced significant repercussions, losing sponsorships, salaries, and the opportunity to pursue new achievements—something that severely impacted both his career and personal life.

Loss of Sponsorships, Salaries, and Athletic Achievements

Stamatogiannis, a champion with notable achievements in international competitions, was banned from the sports arena in 2014 after a doping test. He consistently maintained that he was unaware the supplement contained anabolic substances and accused the company of insufficient testing and improper labeling. The court recognized that he suffered significant moral and financial damages, losing sponsorships, salaries, and opportunities for athletic distinction.

The judicial decision highlighted that the presence of the banned substance had been confirmed through multiple analyses conducted by reliable laboratories, including the National Organization for Medicines (EOF).

As the substance was not detected in other packages of the product, it was proven that partial contamination occurred during the manufacturing process. This meant the company was held accountable regardless of intent, under the principle of strict liability—responsibility based on the outcome rather than intention.

“Only a Few Believed Me”

In his statement, the athlete emphasized that he had always maintained his innocence but that only a few believed him.

Stamatogiannis expressed heartfelt gratitude to his lawyers, Thomas and George Minos, for their dedication and belief in his case, as well as to his wife, Maria Papadopoulou, who stood by him tirelessly throughout this ordeal.

“I dedicate this vindication to her, to my parents, my sister, and our children, so they can feel proud that I was a clean athlete throughout my career,” he said.

He also sent a strong message to those who rushed to criticize him, urging them to acknowledge their mistake and apologize.

The Athlete’s Statement:
“It was May 31, 2014, when I underwent an anti-doping test at the international Papaflessia meeting, and to my shock, I was found positive for stanozolol. From the very first moment, I proclaimed my innocence, but only a few believed me. It took more than 10 years, after an exhausting, soul-crushing, and labyrinthine legal battle, until December 31, 2024, when a final decision was issued by the Three-Member Court of Appeals of Athens. The court ruled that I unknowingly consumed a supplement contaminated with stanozolol and condemned the company distributing it in Greece to compensate me for my losses and moral damages.”

“I want to thank my lawyers, Thomas Minos and George Minos, from the bottom of my heart, who believed in my innocence and, despite all the unfavorable circumstances, achieved a complete reversal and vindication for me. Above all, I thank my wife, Maria Papadopoulou, who stood by me as a tireless supporter all these years. I dedicate this vindication to her, my parents, my sister, and our children, so they can feel proud that I was a clean athlete throughout my career. For those who rushed to judge me, there is still an opportunity to offer their apology,” he concluded.