Ohuruogu appeals ban

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

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

The 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 that became effective in July last year.

After missing the third test, Ohuruogu was withdrawn from the Norwich Union GB team for the European Championships in August, for which she was a genuine medal contender.

Though accepting she breached the rule Ohuruogu 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, with the right of appeal to the British Olympic Association.