Athletics: CAS dismisses ban on offenders

BERLIN: The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) cleared the way for several former doping offenders to compete at the London Olympics after dismissing the validity of an International Olympic Committee eligibility rule. The controversial Rule 45 banned athletes, including Olympic 400 metres champion LaShawn Merritt, from participating at the next Olympics if they have been suspended for six months or longer, but the regulation was rejected as invalid by CAS. The ruling means that Merritt can now defend his title in London.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 7^th, 2011.