Britons sweat on CAS drug ruling

(GETTY IMAGES)

The court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) is to rule next week on a case between the US Olympic Committee and the International Olympic Committee that could yet open the way for sprinter Dwain Chambers and cyclist David Millar to compete at the London Olympics.

The CAS had been expected to give its decision this week but will now issue a binding judgement next Thursday. The USOC and the 400m runner LaShawn Merritt are challenging the IOC's rule that blocks athletes who have served doping bans of more than six months from competing at the Games.

The British Olympic Association bars any UK athlete who has failed a test from competing in the Games. If the CAS was to rule in favour of Merritt, who tested positive for a banned substance in a "male enhancement product", then it could result in the BOA having to alter its stance. Chambers failed in a legal challenge to the BOA before the Beijing Olympics.