Lewis-Francis eligible for Olympics despite dope test

LONDON, Aug 21 (Reuters) British sprinter Mark Lewis-Francis has been ruled eligible for selection for future Olympic teams after successfully appealing against his lifetime ban following a positive test for cannabis.

The 23-year-old former world junior 100 metres champion and 2004 Olympic sprint relay gold medallist tested positive for cannabis in March 2005 at the European indoor championships in Madrid.

The drug is listed as a ''specified substance'' on the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Prohibited List and UK athletics officials, satisfied that there had been no intention that the substance had been taken to enhance performance, did not ban the athlete from any further events.

However, the British Olympic Association (BOA) has a bylaw that denies selection to a British Olympic team for life to any athlete guilty of a doping offence.

Lewis appealed against the decision and the appeals panel accepted that there had been no intention to enhance performance and agreed to restore his eligibility.

''The BOA continues to believe that its lifetime ban for anyone found guilty of a doping offence sends the strongest possible message to everyone in sport that we will not tolerate the use of performance enhancing drugs,'' BOA chief executive Simon Clegg said in a statement.

''Anyone who contemplates cheating in this way should consider the consequences and understand that being found guilty of a doping offence will automatically end their Olympic aspirations.'' REUTERS PM KN1710