Greek police have arrested 58-year-old Odysseas Dimas, brother of Olympic weightlifting champion Pyrros Dimas, on suspicion of supplying and administering banned performance-enhancing substances to athletes, including a minor. The arrest was carried out by officers from the Financial Crimes Prosecution Subdirectorate of the Directorate for Combating Organised Crime.

Of particular significance is a case involving the alleged administration of a banned substance to his underage son, who was competing in a weightlifting event. Analysis of the young athlete’s urine sample detected oxandrolone, an anabolic steroid included on the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA) Prohibited List. As a result, the coach had previously received a 12-year ban, while his son was suspended for 10 months.

Dimas was arrested on Thursday morning (12 November) in Attica following a months-long investigation conducted in cooperation with the Hellenic Anti-Doping Agency (EOKAN) and the National Organisation for Medicines (EOF).

According to the Hellenic Police, the suspect allegedly exploited his position as a weightlifting coach to supply and administer prohibited substances to athletes from at least April 2024.

The case involving his underage son is a central element of the investigation. The young athlete tested positive for a substance prohibited by WADA during a competition, resulting in disciplinary sanctions against both the coach and the athlete.

Police seize 871 pharmaceutical products and €15,000

During searches of the suspect’s home and sports facilities in Attica, police discovered and confiscated:

• 871 units of illegal pharmaceutical products and doping substances in tablet and ampoule form.
• 17 athletes’ registration cards.
• Handwritten notes.
• One mobile phone.
• €15,000 in cash.

According to the National Organisation for Medicines, the seized pharmaceutical products are not authorised for sale on the Greek market and are considered harmful to the health of those who use them.

A criminal case file has been opened against the 58-year-old for alleged violations of sports legislation and laws governing harmful pharmaceutical products. He has been referred to the competent prosecuting authority.