ATHENS, Greece (AP) -- Prosecutors began a preliminary investigation into the alleged use of banned substances by 11 Greek weightlifters, judicial officials said Monday.

Iakovou, 60, is one of Greece's most successful coaches with his athletes winning five Olympic gold medals.

The athletes' suspended coach, meanwhile, blamed a mistake by a Chinese drugmaker for the positive tests.

The probe, headed by prosecutor Andreas Karaflos, was announced as Greek sporting authorities began an emergency meeting and weightlifting team's preparations for the Beijing Olympics were thrown into turmoil.

Sports minister Yiannis Ioannidis summoned the heads of the country's main sporting federations and representatives of the Hellenic Olympic Committee.

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