IOC says Halkia's choice as torchbearer is mistake

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ATHENS, Greece (AP) -- The International Olympic Committee has deplored Greek Olympic officials' decision to let a hurdler serving a doping ban take part in the Vancouver flame relay.

IOC spokeswoman Emmanuelle Moreau says it was "inappropriate and a regrettable mistake" for Greek officials to let disgraced hurdler Fani Halkia carry the flame Wednesday.

She says Greece's Olympic Committee is responsible for choosing torchbearers for the Greek leg of the relay for the Feb. 12-28 Winter Games.

HOC officials had no immediate comment.

Halkia was expelled from the 2008 Beijing Games after testing positive for the steroid methyltrienolone. She was banned for two years.

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