landmark doping case which will determine whether drug cheats like
Dwain Chambers will be allowed to compete for Great Britain at London
2012.
For the last 20 years any British athlete found guilty of taking
performance-enhancing drugs has been banned for all future Olympic
Games under a BOA by-law, but that could all change during a court
hearing in London tomorrow.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) will hear a challenge to the
by-law from the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), who have accused the
BOA of breaking their anti-doping code. Should CAS rule that the BOA's
by-law is illegal, sprinter Chambers will be able to compete for
Britain at the Olympics despite previously serving a two-year
suspension for taking banned substance THG.
Britain is the only nation who ban drug cheats from the Olympics for
life, but BOA chairman Lord Moynihan insists their stance on drug
cheats is fair and just - and is confident of winning the case.
"I think we have a strong case," said Moynihan, who has spoken
strongly on the matter since WADA challenged the BOA's by-law last
year.
"I think we have taken this very seriously and we are cautiously
optimistic that we can put a convincing case forward.
"We have been working pretty hard to do that and we are clear that
there is no room in Team GB for people who have knowingly cheated
through the use of drugs.
"The values in the Olympic movement are the highest in sport and we
will be selecting a team to meet those values.
"We have to make sure that the Olympics is a big celebration of sport
– and not competition between chemists laboratories."
Although the hearing is tomorrow, a ruling will not be announced until
next month.
The BOA, represented by a crack legal team including QCs Lord David
Pannick and Adam Lewis, will argue that as Britain's national Olympic
committee, they alone should be the ones who determine who should
represent the country at the Games.
"We have the right to select athletes who we feel will be right for
Team GB," Moynihan added.
"This is no different to Sir Alex Ferguson being told he can't pick
his Manchester United team on a Saturday.
"That's the right of selection which the BOA have and that will be at
the heart of our case before CAS."
Should Chambers be allowed to take part in London 2012, he stands a
decent chance of winning a medal – a fact underlined by his
third-place finish in the 60 metres at this week's World Indoor
Championships in Istanbul.
Cyclist David Millar is another athlete who has taken
performance-enhancing drugs but could compete in London if CAS rule
against the BOA.
Moynihan acknowledges that both are hugely remorseful for their
actions, but is unrepentant over their punishment and insists getting
rid of the BOA by-law would send the wrong message to the next
generation of British athletes.
"Their decision to take drugs was disappointing. They knew the
consequences," he said.
"I know both of them have campaigned strongly against drugs in sport
but they have campaigned in full knowledge that our selection policy
has not changed.
"Those who argue there should be redemption should think about those
who have been denied a chance to compete at an Olympics because of
drug cheats.
"It's also important to send a clear signal to every kid who is keen on sport.
"Those kids need to know that if they reach the top, the Olympics will
be clean and that's what we are fighting to do."
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