Dwaine Chambers is currently banned for life by the British Olympic Association from competing at the Olympic Games

THE British Olympic Association (BOA) which is standing firm over its lifetime Olympic ban for drugs cheats will be challenged by the Court of Arbitration for Sport on March 12, with a decision to be made in April.

The BOA bylaw states that anyone found guilty of a doping offence will never be allowed to compete at another Olympics - a stance which currently excludes sprinter Dwaine Chambers and cyclist David Millar from competing.

And it has challenged the decision by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) that the lifetime ban is “non-compliant” with their code.

A statement on CAS’ official website www.tas-cas.org read: “In the CAS arbitration between the British Olympic Association (BOA) and the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), a hearing will take place on 12 March 2012.

“In accordance with the wish of the parties, the CAS should issue its final decision with reasons in April 2012.”

If the BOA is defeated then it will pave the way for Millar and sprinter Chambers, who have previously served bans for drugs, to be part of Team GB in London.

BOA chairman Lord Moynihan said last month: “It is a policy that reflects the culture and character of Team GB. The BOA and British Olympic athletes do not consider that those who have deliberately cheated should represent Great Britain at the Olympic Games.”

Two QCs, Lord David Pannick and Adam Lewis, will represent the BOA.

The BOA’s appeal argues that the lifetime ban is an issue about being eligible for Team GB and is not an extra sanction for a doping offence.

The BOA say the by-law has enjoyed the support of more than 90 per cent of British athletes since it was brought in back in 1992.