The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) yesterday ruled the British Olympic Association’s (BOA) lifetime ban on drugs cheats failed to comply with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) code.
CAS’s decision gives the green light to the likes of sprinter Dwain Chambers and cyclist David Millar, previously guilty of doping offences, to take part in the London Games should they achieve the qualifying standard.
The CAS ruling had been widely expected since the IOC lost a similar case in November after their Osaka rule – banning drugs cheats from the next Olympics even if their suspension was completed – was challenged.
The case was brought by USOC on behalf of their 400m runner LaShawn Merritt.
Colin Moynihan, chairman of the BOA, reacted to the latest CAS verdict by saying WADA had won a “hollow victory”.
WADA had fought the BOA’s policy of imposing life bans for the Olympics, arguing that it contravened their own code.
Chambers was banned for two years after testing positive for the steroid THG in 2004.
Millar also served a doping ban in 2004.