Michael Johnson believes Christine Ohuruogu should be allowed to compete in next summer's Olympic Games in Beijing

The 23-year-old, who today added 4x400 metres relay bronze to her individual gold at the World Championships in Osaka, is appealing against a lifetime ban from the British Olympic team imposed after she was given a one-year suspension for missing three out-of-competition doping tests.

Johnson, a double Olympic champion and four-time world champion at 400m, said: "My personal opinion, yeah, she should be allowed to run."

However, Johnson feels the British Olympic Association (BOA) should now take a long, hard look at their rules and procedures.

"If I were put in charge of making that decision then I would refer back to the rules," Johnson added on BBC Radio 5 Live's Sportsweek programme.

"You've BOA rules saying there is an appeals process, but you've also the BOA going out around the world saying 'Hey, we have this extremely tough stance on drugs'.

"But they've already allowed two other people to appeal and get through.

"So maybe this extremely tough stance on drugs doesn't actually work, and maybe needs to be looked at.

"When the rule was put in, I applauded and thought 'That's great, it's what the rest of the world should follow'.

"But at the same time you have to look at the situation and distinguish between those athletes who test positive and those who miss drug tests. There is a severe difference."

Dave Collins, performance director of UK Athletics, agreed with Johnson.

"I would hope she wins her appeal, and yes I think she should be allowed to run," he added.

"There is a difference between looking at someone who has been found guilty of the offence of taking drugs knowingly to improve their performance, and someone who is guilty of a procedural misnomer, and in this case that's what we've got."

Collins, though, believes the out-of-competition testing system does work.

"Our partners in UK Sport help us to have one of the most stringent systems in the world, and it's entirely appropriate," added Collins.

"The penalties are harsh, but also entirely appropriate, and if only such rigour was applied around the world, I'm sure you would see a much more level playing field."

John Steele, chief executive of UK Sport, the organisation responsible for carrying out drug tests on athletes, is convinced the method in place is proving to be a success.

"The tests give athletes the opportunity to prove they are not using drugs," insisted Steele.

"We've discovered out-of-competition testing is the best way, both to deter and catch drug cheats.

"Is there a 100% system? Well, who knows because unfortunately technology is moving on all the time, and that's our challenge to make sure we're doing everything we can.

"But since this case (Ohuruogu), and other cases, there has been a 50% increase in terms of athletes lodging their times and whereabouts.

"A lot of athletes realise this is really important in the fight against drugs, and we need to make sure we are spot on with it."

Ohuruogu feels she has a strong case when the BOA eventually hear her appeal, especially as two other athletes have been cleared of the same offence.

"In theory, maybe they should (clear my name)," said Ohuruogu.

"I'm not going to say what they should or shouldn't do, but my circumstances are not dissimilar to what has happened in the past, and I'm hoping that will weigh in my favour.

"There are other athletes who have done the same thing, and no-one is pointing the finger at them, so why are they pointing the finger at me?

"There's absolutely nothing dubious about my circumstances whatsoever. People just want to make a story out of nothing as far as I can see.

"But it's something I want to put back in the cupboard and not really revisit it again."