London, April 30 (IANS) Britain’s dope-tainted sprinter Dwain Chambers and cyclist David Millar are now free to take part in the 2012 London as the British Olympic Association (BOA) has lost a case in the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) on the lifetime ban imposed on the runners.
The two were given a life-ban for their first offence. But CAS ruled against the BOA on the grounds that its life ban was an additional sanction on top of the penalties that were handed down to Millar and Chambers.
BOA has already been informed by CAS and the decision comes as a big relief for the two athletes, who now have a strong chance of making a comeback into the British Olympic team.
BOA chief executive, Andy Hunt, said Chambers and Millar will be given “100 per cent support” if they are selected despite his organisation’s opposition.
Chambers tested positive for the steroid THG in 2003 and Millar was found guilty of taking blood-boosting EPO in 2005.
The 33-year-old Chambers, who won world indoor 60m bronze last month, said: “It’s my home Olympics and I am a British athlete. I would like to compete.”
Chambers will now have to finish on the top two at the Olympic trials in July to qualify for the London. Chambers is likely to be brought back into the 4x100m relay fold.
