IOC says Games ban for suspended athletes stands

BEIJING (Reuters) - A rule banning athletes suspended for more than six months for drugs violations from the next Olympics stands, despite questions about its legality, the International Olympic Committee said on Tuesday.

"My proposal is to keep it at this stage," IOC President Jacques Rogge told the organization's annual session. "We are not going to annul the executive board decision before the Games. The rule stands."

The rule came into force on July 1 in an effort to tackle the growing problem of doping in sport, especially prior the Beijing Olympics.

Under the rule, any athlete who receives a suspension of six months or more for any drugs violation automatically misses the next Olympics. Some IOC members questioned whether the legal basis of such a decision was sound enough.

Former World Anti-Doping chief Dick Pound, a lawyer, said while he did not want to see cheats at any Olympics, the ruling could prove to be problematic.

"I would not want to see anyone who cheated in doping in any Games. But I think we could be in trouble," Pound said.

IOC Vice President Thomas Bach, also a lawyer, insisted the rule was legally strong.

"One of the reasons we think that we can stand up to any challenges is that it is not a question of a sanction," Bach said.

"It is at the IOC's discretion to accept an accreditation for Olympic Games or not. This decision serves to tell everybody that the IOC will exercise this discretion as described," Bach said.

(Editing by Alex Richardson)