CAS overturns Olympic doping rule

Oct 6, 2011, 9:40 GMT

Berlin - A ban on competing at the next Olympics for athletes who have received a doping suspension of more than six months was overturned Thursday by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

The court in Lausanne said the International Olympic Committee (IOC) ruling was 'invalid and enforceable.'

The CAS decision clears the way for American LaShawn Merritt to defend his Olympic 400m title and for several other athletes to compete at the 2012 Games in London.

The IOC said it was 'naturally disappointed' with the CAS ruling, saying its measure was originally adopted to protect the athletes who compete fairly and support the values of the Olympic movement.

The IOC's rule had barred any athlete who had received a doping suspension of more than six months from competing in the next summer or winter games.

Both the US Olympic Committee (USOC) and the IOC had requested arbitration over the IOC executive board ruling made in Osaka in June 2008.

Merritt accepted a two-year ban, later reduced to 21 months, after failing drugs tests in the winter of 2009-10. His ban ended in July and he competed at the world athletics championships in South Korea in August, winning the silver medal and a gold in the 4x400m relay.

He had argued that the IOC ruling went beyond the World Anti-Doping Agency sanctions.

The IOC said in its statement it would be pressing for tougher sanctions, including such measures as agreed in Osaka, to be considered when the time comes for a revision to the World Anti-Doping Code.

'The IOC fully respects the Court of Arbitration for Sport and will of course abide by its judgement,' it said.

'The IOC has a zero tolerance against doping and has shown and continues to show its determination to catch cheats.'

British sprinter Dwain Chambers is meanwhile considering appealing against his Olympic suspension following the CAS decision, British media reported.

Chambers is barred from taking part in London 2012 by a British Olympic Association (BOA) by-law that imposes a lifetime ban for doping.

Cyclist David Millar may also challenge the BOA following Merritt's success, it was reported.

Germany's Winter Olympics speedskater Claudia Pechstein, who has served a two-year ban for a blood doping rules violation in 2009, welcomed the ruling.

Pechstein, who also wants to compete as a cyclist at the 2012 London Games, said: 'I am totally happy. Justice has prevailed and now the path is clear for my 10th Olympic medal.'

Pechstein had said earlier this year the IOC rule did not in any case apply to her because she had bever failed a doping test.

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