• London Olympics 2012

Olympic hero Edwards advocates second chance

Jonathan Edwards believes all athletes deserve a second chance © Getty Images

Enlarge

Related Links

• News: Adlington and Redgrave unhappy with CAS ruling
  
• News: Lifetime ban for drug cheats must remain - England
  

Jonathan Edwards has spoken in opposition to many of his Olympic gold medal-winning colleagues, by claiming drug offenders do not deserve lifetime bans from the Olympics.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) ruled in favour of LaShawn Merritt on Thursday, after the American appealed against a ban handed out by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Merritt had been suspended by the IOC from the London 2012 Olympic Games following a positive steroid test, but he is now free to compete in the competition after the lifetime ban was ruled illegal.

As a result, British Olympic hopefuls Dwain Chambers and David Millar can now challenge their own suspensions, issued by the British Olympic Association (BOA). Merritt's victory would seemingly pave the way for Chambers and Millar to win their own cases, although the BOA is convinced its by-law will not be overturned.

The whole scenario has been met with disgust by a number of Britain's leading Olympic figures, with Rebecca Adlington and Sir Steve Redgrave both heavily in favour of lifetime punishments for drug abuse.

However, Edwards has spoken out in defence of the likes of Chambers, insisting every man deserves a second chance. Edwards believes the initial punishment for drug abuse should be heavier, but athletes should then be rewarded for serving their time.

"I'm a great believer in giving somebody a second chance, the opportunity for redemption is very important," Edwards told Sky Sports News.

"The problem arises because the current ban of two years is simply not a long enough ban. If it was four years then this might not happen.

"I can understand why athletes support it (the BOA's decision), but I think a lifetime ban is too much."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.