From correspondents in Athens, Greece, 10:33 PM IST

A Greek judicial investigation continued Tuesday into a spate of doping cases involving the country's athletes.

Prosecutors heard evidence from Patrick Schamasch, medical director of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Greek television reported.

Schamasch testified on cases involving Fani Halkia, the 2004 Olympic 400-metre hurdles champion, sprinter Tassos Gousis and their coach George Panagiotopoulos.

The IOC last month filed a lawsuit against Panagiotopoulos, requesting his prosecution in Greece.

Halkia and Gousis failed a doping test Aug 7, the day before the start of the Beijing Olympics.

Fifteen Greek athletes were tested positive for the steroid Methyltrienolone in the three months ahead of the Beijing Olympics, including another runner, 11 weightlifters and a swimmer.

Halkia and Gousis, who were excluded from the Beijing Games, have denied doping involvement.

(Staff Writer, © IANS)