• London Olympics 2012

Ennis wants 'standard rule' to apply for drug cheats

ESPN staff
November 21, 2011
Jessica Ennis says the same rules should apply to everyone when applying bans for drug taking © Getty Images
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Britain's Jessica Ennis has added her voice to the ongoing dispute over Olympic bans for drug cheats, the heptathlete saying the same rule should apply to everyone regardless of nationality.

The World Anti-Doping Agency has claimed the British Olympic Association's stance on drugs cheats violates the global anti-doping code. The BOA dishes out lifetime Olympic bans to doping offenders - a course of action that is "non-compliant" with the world anti-doping code, according to WADA.

The argument looks set to rumble on at the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne, with the BOA - which is the only national Olympic committee to hand out such a punishment to drug cheats - determined to retain the right to maintain the ban.

Ennis told Sky Sports News: "I think it's a difficult one and I do think it should be a standard rule and it should be the same for everyone. But it's out of our hands as athletes and it's for WADA and the BOA to come to some agreement.

"You don't want to get too wrapped up in all rules and politics. It's out of our hands. As athletes we have to perform and go along with those rules."

Former British No. 1 heptathlete Kelly Sotherton took to Twitter to show her support for the BOA life bans. She wrote: "I think the athletes REALLY need to get behind the BOA. As athletes, we want a 'clean' games. (in all sports) #boalifetimeban."

Sprinter Dwain Chambers and cyclist David Millar, both of whom served two-year drug bans, would become eligible for Team GB selection if the BOA loses the case.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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