IOC rules out athletes with long bans

The International Olympic Committee on Wednesday confirmed a rule which does not allow doping offenders with a ban of more than six months, such as Jamaica’s Bobbi-Gay Wilkins, to compete at the next games.

Lashawn Merritt of the US, 2008 400-metre gold medalist, is also among the 40 athletes to be affected by the rule.

Wilkins’ two year ban ends on April 8 next year.

She tested positive for Andanine at the World Indoor Championship in Doha, Qatar in March.

The rule is supported by the IOC and the Athletes' Commission.

However Merritt, who is serving a 21 month ban, plans to contest the rule in the Court of Arbitration for Sport.