Ohuruogu bid boosted by pound

Christine Ohuruogu's fight to be allowed to take part in next summer's Olympics received a major boost after the most senior figure in anti-doping said the 400metre runner should be cleared to compete in Beijing.

Dick Pound, chairman of the World Anti-Doping Agency, said the British Olympic Association (BOA) should lift their lifetime ban on Ohuruogu.

"I have some legal sympathy with her although, as an Olympian, I would like to say to anybody the first time they do it and it's clear that it's not an accident, I don't want to play with you any more, ever." said Pound.

The 23-year-old world 400m champion, who was given a one-year ban for missing three out-of-competition drugs tests when she failed to alert officials as to her whereabouts, is due to have a personal hearing with the BOA later this month seeking to overturn the ruling.

The BOA have a bye-law which states any athlete receiving a ban for a doping offence incurs a lifetime Olympic ban - although other athletes have won similar appeals including world triathlon champion Tim Don and judo player Peter Cousins.

Pound, speaking at the FT Sport Summit in London, added: "If I was her lawyer I would say that doping offences are governed by the world anti-doping code and provides from this penalty for a first offence.

"It does not call for lifetime denial of access to the Olympics.

"The system in which we are working says for the first offence you serve a penalty and then you can come back in."