BOA defends stand on doping

WADA presented its compliance report to its Foundation Board in Montreal on Sunday.
As expected, the board ruled that the BOA was non-compliant with WADA's rules because they have refused to lift their controversial lifetime ban on athletes found guilty of using performance-enhancing drugs.

“All NOCs are Code-compliant except the British Olympic Association (BOA),” WADA's compliance report stated.

“The BOA's non-compliance is based on the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) decision of October 4, 2011 that advised the International Olympic Committee (IOC) that its Rule 45 was non-compliant because it was, in effect, a double sanction. In light of this ruling, the BOA's bylaw number 74 renders the BOA non-compliant.”

The BOA, preparing for a home Olympics in London next year, issued a statement on Sunday saying they welcomed WADA's decision but would defend their controversial policy.

“The British Olympic Association (BOA) welcomes today's outcome from the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) which will bring clarity and closure to the dispute with WADA,” the statement said.