Ohuruogo finally submits appeal against ban

Commonwealth 400metres champion Christine Ohuruogu has finally submitted her appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport against her one-year drug suspension.

Ohuruogu received the ban from an UK Athletics a independent disciplinary panel a month ago after missing three out-of-competition tests in an 18 months period.

CAS revealed in a statement that Ohuruogu "requests the annulment of the decision," and said an outcome is likely within four months.

The 22-year-old Londoner was the first track and field athlete to fall foul of the International Association of Athletics Federation's regulation which became effective in July last year.

After missing the third test, Ohuruogo was withdrawn from the Norwich Union GB team for the European Championships in August where she was a genuine medal contender.

Though accepting she breached the rule Ohuruogo was stunned when receiving her sentence, believing missing the major championships of the summer was sufficient punishment.

The ban also saw her her automatically banned from future Olympic Games, although having the right of appeal to the British Olympic Association.

Ohuruogu, who lives within a mile of where the London Olympic Games will be staged, has stated she will quit the sport if unavailable to compete there in six years time.

There has been massive sympathy for Ohuruogu, even from Paula Radcliffe who is vehemently opposed to anti-doping violations, but feels on this occasion there is room for sympathy.

Radcliffe wants to see a uniform punishment for the offence adopted worldwide by individual sporting bodies to alleviate the differences that currently exist.

She said: "At the moment it's a lot stricter in England. You do feel for Christine and when we make it much stricter, we need to ensure all the athletes are really educated and really understand how important it is to always notify their whereabouts.

"I do not think for one minute she is guilty of doping. She was not educated right about the system and didn't understand how serious it was.

"It's definitely tough and it shouldn't be an Olympic ban, but we have to stick to the rules."