BOA seeks to keep drugs ban

13/12/2011

The British Olympic Association (BOA) has filed an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport contesting a recent World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) ruling that its lifetime Olympic ban on drug cheats is in breach of its code.

Fans keen to enjoy hospitality packages at the London 2012 games while watching a completely clean Great Britain team may wish the BOA success in its appeal, as Wada seeks to oblige it to offer a possible way back for those who have failed tests in the past.

At present, no athlete who has served a suspension for taking a banned substance can compete for Britain and it has been agreed by the BOA and Wada that the issue should be settled at the court in Lausanne.

BOA chairman Lord Colin Moynihan said: "The BOA selection policy is a direct expression of the commitment British athletes have made to uphold the values of fair play, integrity and clean competition."

Wada was established in 1999 and carries out background research into issues surrounding drug use in sport, as well as administering anti-doping policies in international competitions.

By Sam Smith