Flip through the latest issue of Gulf Weekly.
The reigning 400m Olympic champion, LaShawn Merritt, successfully overturned a decision under the so-called Osaka Rule that had banned him from competing at London 2012.
A three-man panel at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) ruled that Rule 45, which prevents athletes from competing in the Olympics subsequent to a drug ban, was a violation of the International Olympic Committee’s own statutes and the international code established by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).
Merritt was originally serving a 21-month ban for testing positive for a banned steroid. His defence was that he was unaware of the substance in his over-the-counter male enhancement product.
This ruling will create problems for the IOC themselves and other national associations that promote a zero tolerance policy towards drugs. The British Olympic Association (BOA) bans athletes infringing drug regulations for life.
Intriguingly, while the IOC is expected to have to review its policies, the BOA still believes it can send a deterrent to athletes by simply not selecting them for Team GB.
Frankly, I am amazed that WADA has implemented a two-year ban and is attempting to enforce this globally. Countless athletes are returning to claim titles and make a mockery of the bans they served. There should be zero tolerance towards drug cheats and they should be banned for life.
