Ohuruogu wins appeal against lifetime Olympic ban for missing drug tests

Ohuruogu won the 400-meter world title in Osaka, Japan, on Aug. 29, just weeks after completing a one-year ban imposed by UK Athletics for missing three out-of-competition drug tests between October 2005 and July 2006.

Ohuruogu was the first British track athlete punished for missing three tests. She said she missed the testers when her training schedules were changed at late notice.

“The BOA will now be pleased to welcome Christine Ohuruogu as part of Team GB in Beijing next year in the event of her successful nomination by UK Athletics,” BOA chief executive Simon Clegg said. Clegg defended the procedures which led to the ban being imposed in the first place.

“The BOA and the panel both stress that no-advance notice out-of-competition testing is a fundamental part of ensuring an effective fight against doping in sport,” he said. “Athletes must be fully aware of their obligations to keep their whereabouts information up to date at all times and must ensure that they are available for testing at the designated times and places.” Ohuruogu is the latest athlete to successfully appeal against the BOA rule. Former world triathlon champion Tim Don and judo athlete Peter Cousins, who both served three-month suspensions for missing drug tests, are among those who have overturned lifetime Olympic bans.

“I’m so pleased for her,” Ohuruogu’s coach Lloyd Cowan said. “We now just have to move on and get this cloud over our head out of the way. … I will be doing everything possible to assist her to win an Olympic medal next summer.” UK Athletics performance director Dave Collins welcomed the ruling.

“Christine committed a technical anti-doping offense and has paid the price for that,” he said. “There is no evidence or suggestion that she has ever taken performance-enhancing substances or had any sinister intentions in missing the tests.” UK Sport, the quasi-government body with oversight over sports in Britain, said the BOA’s automatic life ban rule should be reconsidered. It suggested that a lifetime Olympic penalty should only be imposed in the case of a “serious offense” meriting a minimum two-year suspension under the World Anti-Doping Code.

“This still sends out a very strong message that cheats cannot represent Britain at the Games, but recognizes that others should not be punished excessively,” UK Sport chief executive John Steele said.