A RULE banning drugs cheats from taking part at the London 2012 Olympics even if their suspension has expired may be overturned by sport’s highest court.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) will pass judgement on the International Olympic Committee’s rule that any athlete receiving a six-month ban or more for a doping offence will miss the next Games.

The CAS decision could also impact on the British Olympic Association’s lifetime ban from Team GB for doping offenders.

The IOC and the US Olympic Committee have jointly asked CAS for a ruling in order for “certainty” ahead of the London 2012 Games.

One leading athlete facing missing the Games is reigning Olympic 400m champion LaShawn Merritt, who was banned for 21 months after testing positive for a steroid found in an over-the-counter sexual enhancement product.

Merritt was originally banned for two years, but that was reduced by the American Arbitration Association who also branded the IOC rule as constituting “double jeopardy”. BOA communications director Darryl Seibel said they would be watching the outcome of the case closely.

He said: “As this matter is only now going before CAS, it’s difficult to say what impact, if any, it might have on the BOA bylaw. We will, of course, follow this case closely.

“We certainly agree that it is important to find the right balance in a rigorous anti-doping program that protects the health and well-being of the overwhelming majority of Olympic athletes who choose to compete clean, while also introducing meaningful sanctions for those who break the rules.”

The BOA have polled British athletes in the past and found that more than 90% favour a lifetime ban. USOC chief executive officer Scott Blackmun confirmed they were petitioning CAS for a ruling.