GREAT Britain medal hopeful Jessica Ennis does not believe the nation’s drug cheats should miss out on next year’s Games in London just because of their nationality.

The British Olympic Association are preparing to defend their lifetime ban from the Olympics for drug cheats despite the World Anti-doping Agency (WADA) stressing the organisation’s rule, which disqualifies offenders from Olympic Games selection even after serving suspensions, violated the global code.

The World Anti-Doping Agency said the BOA rule, The by-law, brought in 19 years ago, means the BOA have been declared “non-compliant” with the code by WADA’s foundation board.

The ruling increases the chances of sprinter Dwain Chambers and cyclist David Millar being able to compete at next year’s spectacle in the Capital.

The BOA will aim to test their legal right to maintain the ban, and take the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne.

Ennis said: “I think it’s a difficult one and I do think it should be a standard rule and it should be the same for everyone.

“But it’s out of our hands as athletes and it’s for WADA and the BOA to come to some agreement.

“You don’t want to get too wrapped up in all rules and politics.

“It’s out of our hands. As athletes we have to perform and go along with those rules.”

Kelly Sotherton, who until Ennis emerged was Britain’s number one heptathlete, is a firm supporter of the BOA life bans.

Sotherton wrote on Twitter, “I think the athletes REALLY need to get behind the BOA. As athletes, we want a ‘clean’ games. (in all sports).”