Pyrros Dimas has submitted his resignation from the position of adviser to Greek Sports Minister Yiannis Vroutsis, just hours after his brother, Odysseas Dimas, was arrested on suspicion of involvement in a banned-substances case.
According to Greek media, the weightlifting legend made the decision out of sensitivity, after the arrest of his 58-year-old brother, who is accused of supplying athletes with banned substances to enhance physical performance.
However, the Greek sports minister has not accepted the resignation. According to Protothema.gr, Vroutsis made it clear to Pyrros Dimas that he cannot be held responsible for the actions of a family member, replying: “What do you have to do with this?”
Pyrros Dimas meanwhile continues to hold the position of special secretary at the Greek Weightlifting Federation. The former Olympic champion is one of the most famous names in the sport, with three gold medals and one bronze at the Olympic Games.
His brother, Odysseas Dimas, was arrested on November 12 in an area of Attica, on suspicion of violating anti-doping legislation. The arrest came after a months-long investigation conducted in cooperation with the Hellenic Anti-Doping Organization and the National Organization for Medicines.
According to reports, the 58-year-old has been charged and the case has been referred to an investigator for the continuation of legal proceedings. Pyrros Dimas has so far not made a public statement about his brother’s arrest.
