Simon McCann appears before the Court of Arbitration for Sport

During the Birmingham Commonwealth Games, Simon McCann represented an Athlete rendered ineligible to compete due to a failure to complete his “whereabouts” forms (required for anti-doping control) prior to arriving in the UK.

Given the extreme urgency - the Athlete was informed that he was ineligible 5 days before he was due to compete - it was necessary to use the “ad hoc” procedures set up for the 2022 Games, and appeal directly to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Switzerland. The Athlete’s National Governing Body, the International Federation and the Commonwealth Games Federation were all involved, with the latter 2 being represented at the final hearing before the Panel of 3 international CAS Judges.

Speaking after the case, Simon said: ’This was a very demanding case for everyone involved - these matters are dealt with at times of high stress for the Athlete, their team and their national sporting community. Simon Eastwood of Hempsons and I were instructed on a pro bono basis, and I was pleased that we could assist. Whilst I cannot identify who the Athlete was, nor which country he was representing, I would like to wish him continued success’.