Christine Ohuruogu, Britain’s only gold medallist at the recent World Championships, today received a double boost in her hopes of competing in next year’s Olympic Games in Beijing.

The 23-year-old took gold in the 400metres at the World Championships in Osaka last week, just days after completing a suspension for missing three out-of-competition drugs tests.

Ohuruogu was allowed to compete in Japan under UK Athletics rules, yet is banned from future Olympic participation by British Olympic Association regulations. Her appeal against that decision is due to be heard next month.

Ed Warner, chairman of UK Athletics, said there were precedents which led him to believe the athlete’s ban would be overturned, while Jacques Rogge, the president of the International Olympic Committee [IOC], said the decision whether or not she was allowed to compete should rest solely with Britain.

“My view is very simple,” Rogue said. “This is a matter for the British Olympic Association.”

Warner meanwhile, believes the appeal process with clear the way for Ohuruogu to compete at Beijing. “I’m very hopeful there are two precedents that stand her in very good stead,” he said. “Let’s be really clear, this is a young athlete that has never failed a test.”

Ohuruogu’s appeal against the BOA ban is being supported by her governing body UK Athletics, with Warner saying her one-year ban is sufficient punishment for the offence.

A similar Olympics ban for world triathlon champion Tim Don was overturned on appeal. “Amongst all the hurly burly and ill-informed comments in the media this past week, let’s not forget she has never ever failed a drugs test,” Warner added. “And she has taken many, many tests in the past year. This is an individual case and it needs to be argued on that basis.

“The three-strikes-and-you-miss-a-year rule I agree with entirely. What we need to work on with the testers is making it as easy as possible for honest athletes to be tested - there are a few wrinkles to be ironed out there.”