Brother’s arrest in doping case prompts Pirro Dhima to offer resignation, but Greek minister refuses

Pirro Dhima has asked Greek Sports Minister Yiannis Vroutsis to let him step down as his adviser. The request came just hours after Dhima’s brother, Odiseas Dhima, was implicated in a steroid scandal.

Greek media report that the weightlifting legend made the decision out of sensitivity to the situation. His 58-year-old brother has been arrested on suspicion of supplying athletes with banned substances to improve their physical performance.

Vroutsis, however, has not accepted his resignation. According to Protothema.gr, the minister told Dhima that he was not responsible for a family member’s actions, asking him: “What do you have to do with this?”

Pirro Dhima remains special secretary of the Greek Weightlifting Federation. Considered one of the sport’s greatest athletes, he has won three gold medals and one bronze for Greece at the Olympic Games.

Odiseas Dhima’s case has affected the former Olympic champion emotionally. He has not yet commented publicly on the matter.

Odiseas Dhima, 58, was arrested on the morning of Thursday, November 12, in an area of Attica on suspicion of violating anti-doping laws. The arrest followed a months-long investigation conducted in cooperation with the Hellenic Anti-Doping Organization (EOKAN) and the National Organization for Medicines (EOF).

Criminal proceedings have been initiated against him for a serious crime and a misdemeanor. The case has been referred to an investigator for further legal action.