1 May 2012

CAS overturns UK's lifetime Olympic ban for drug cheats

6:06 am on 1 May 2012

The Court of Arbitration for Sport has overturned the British Olympic Association's lifetime ban on drugs cheats, ruling that it fails to comply with the World Anti-Doping Agency's code.

The court's decision gives the green light to the likes of British sprinter Dwain Chambers and cyclist David Millar, previously guilty of doping offences, to take part in the London Olympics later this year, if they achieve their qualifying standards.

The ruling had been widely expected since the IOC lost a similar case in November after a rule banning drugs cheats from the next Olympics, even if their suspension was completed was challenged.

The chairman of Britain's Olympic Association Colin Moynihan described the verdict as a "hollow victory".