Arrest of Odysseas Dimas: 800+ banned preparations and athletes' names found in his home
The former weightlifting coach was arrested for illegal trafficking in banned substances. Over 800 preparations and handwritten notes bearing the names of athletes were found in his possession.
Dimas before prosecutor with 800 banned preparations and handwritten lists of athletes
Over 800 items of illegal pharmaceutical preparations, athlete identification cards and handwritten notes containing names, signatures and monetary amounts — this is what authorities discovered in the home of Odysseas Dimas during a police investigation, according to Ethnos.
The 58-year-old, a former weightlifting coach and brother of Olympic champion Pyros Dimas, was arrested on charges of illegal procurement and supply of banned and dangerous substances to athletes.
What authorities found
Police sources report that the handwritten notes seized contained the names of athletes with signatures, references to substances and corresponding monetary amounts. The material is under investigation, but these findings may point to systematic anabolic steroid trafficking.
Charges — including supply to a minor
According to the indictment, Dimas procured and supplied illegal preparations at least from 2024, exploiting his position as a coach. Particularly aggravating is the allegation that he supplied the anabolic substance oxandrolone to his minor son during a competition.
For this specific incident, sanctions had already been imposed: a 12-year ban for Dimas and a 10-month penalty for the athlete himself.
Interventions by the Ministry of Sports and the Anti-Doping Authority
The Ministry of Sports states that the case was already known and that action has been taken. The national Anti-Doping Authority, according to Ethnos, has been acting on the matter for a considerable time.
Following his arrest, Dimas was brought before a prosecutor, who filed charges against him for felony and misdemeanour offences concerning illegal trafficking in banned substances and violation of pharmaceutical legislation.
The defence's position
Through his lawyer, Odysseas Dimas contends that the preparations found in his home were intended exclusively for personal use and are related to health problems he faced during his athletic career. The defence also claims that the substances are not anabolic and that this will be proven by the competent authorities.
Source: Ethnos