Richards-Ross backing Chambers

Sanya Richards-Ross has changed her mind on lifetime Olympic bans for drug cheats and is wishing Dwain Chambers well for London 2012.

The British Olympic Association has officially rescinded their lifetime ban for athletes found guilty of doping offences after the rule was declared to be in contravention of the World Anti-Doping Agency code by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

It means Chambers - who in 2003 tested positive for a performance-enhancing substance - can now be selected to represent Great Britain at this summer's Games.

The 34-year-old's case has been a source of great debate and Richards-Ross, America's 400 metres Olympic bronze medallist, was initially against the idea of drug cheats getting a second chance.

She now thinks differently, though, and hopes to see Chambers competing in London.

"I remember when this whole thing started out with the Olympic ban and I was actually for it - I thought if an athlete had been banned, they should never be able to compete in the Olympic Games," Richards-Ross said.

"But over time my feelings on it have changed. The likes of Dwain Chambers have served their time, stayed patient and trained hard and then have come back.

"I just think once they have served their time and done their punishment, they should be given all the opportunities we are given because they are human - they just made mistakes.

"I wish Dwain all the best. Hopefully he will make the team and put in a great performance in London."

Richards-Ross was speaking in Manchester ahead of Sunday's Great CityGames there, where she will be competing in the 200m.

Chambers (150m) is also included in the event's line-up, along with fellow big-name Briton Jessica Ennis (100m hurdles).

Also among the British contingent taking part are pole-vaulter Holly Bleasdale and Andy Turner, who is aiming to win both the 110m hurdles and 200m hurdles races for a third straight year.

Turner, while in favour of lifetime Olympic bans for drug cheats in principle, feels it is only fair his friend Chambers has a chance to compete in London given the BOA were the sole governing body across the world imposing such a rule.

"I have a lot of time for Dwain and I hope he does really well on Sunday and in the Games. I am all for him being part of the team," Turner said.

"I think the rule should be if you cheat, you are out, but it needed consistency."

Alongside the Great CityGames, the Manchester Great Run will take place on Sunday, with Ethiopia's Haile Gebrselassie looking to win for a fourth consecutive time.