CAS rules against the Osaka Rule
A ruling was made in June 2008 known as the ‘Osaka Rule’ that states that cyclists who have faced suspension on account of doping for more than six months are prohibited to participate in the Olympics Games. The Court of Arbitration for Sport took a decision
today that the verdict made was “invalid and unenforceable.”
CAS is an international body that is responsible for handling sports related disputes with its courts based in Sydney, New York, Switzerland and Lausanne.
The Osaka rule adopted by IOC’s Executive Board in 2008 was a ruling “prohibiting athletes who have been suspended for more than six months for an anti-doping rule violation from participating in the next Olympic Games following the expiration of their suspension.” CAS
has now cancelled the sanction implemented by the board.
This will open the door for many cyclists who can now make an appearance in the London Olympics 2012. British cyclist David Millar will also be seen in action. Millar was banned for two years by British Olympic Association from the Olympics in 2004, after
he admitted taking performance enhancing drugs.
In his statement regarding the CAS ruling, Millar commented, “I hope this decision will pave the way for the development of global sports, and to creating a system that all athletes and sports fans can understand and believe in.”
The CAS panel has determined that the ‘Osaka Rule’ was basically a disciplinary sanction and not a compulsion that prohibits bounds the players from competing at Olympics. CAS also mentioned that “In addition, “the 'Osaka Rule' is in fact a violation of
the IOC’s own Statute and is therefore invalid and unenforceable.”
USADA (US Anti-Doping Agency) has also welcomed the CAS ruling. The CEO of US Anti-Doping, Travis Tygart, has clearly shown his support for the CAS verdict.
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