• London 2012

Lifetime ban for drug cheats must remain - England

Hannah England is going for gold at London 2012 © PA Photos

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World Championship silver medallist Hannah England admits she is disappointed that athletes who have served drugs bans could end up competing at London 2012.

American LaShawn Merritt won a reprieve from his ban from the London Olympic Games on Thursday, opening the door for a number of other athletes - including British sprinter Dwain Chambers and cyclist David Millar - to challenge the rulings imposed on them by the British Olympic Association.

England has sympathy with the athletes who continue to be punished for their past mistakes, but believes the rule is fair and acts as a necessary disincentive for those considering doping.

"I think it's harsh but fair that athletes receive a lifetime ban from the Olympics if they take drugs," England told Sky Sports News. "I think it's a good extra deterrent beyond a four-year ban, or whatever, that you are giving up something for life as well.

"Athletes have always known that's the situation throughout their career and, while I feel for Dwain - who's a lovely a guy and a great athlete and works very hard - he knows he made a mistake when he was younger and I do think there maybe should be an overall penalty for that."

England noted that reprieved athletes could end up preventing rivals with no history of drug use from competing at their home Games.

"I think athletes generally oppose anyone [who has been caught taking drugs] coming back for an Olympics," she said. "Especially as it's a home Olympics, someone could be keeping another athlete out of the team - and it's even more special for British athletes this year."

After finishing strongly to claim a surprise silver medal in the 1500m in Daegu, England will be considered one of Team GB's brightest medal hopes next summer. She was one of the first British athletes to get to run inside the Olympic Stadium, and hopes she can have an even more successful run there next year.

"Why not? Someone's got to do it!" England said, when asked if she could win gold. "I think the 1500m is very unpredictable but I'm giving myself a better chance every year. I've always had a good finish.

"[The stadium] is going to have such a good atmosphere, I can't wait to go and race there."

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