Christie criticises rules

The criticism comes after Commonwealth 400 metres champion Christine Ohuruogu was withdrawn from the European Championships by UK Athletics for missing three out of competition drugs tests in the past 18 months.

Christie said: “What we're doing there, we're not catching the guilty, we are penalising the innocent.

“I think the system was set up to protect innocent and it's not doing that. That is the only fault I have with it. Christine's only guilt is that she's naïve.”

The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) introduced the rule last year, which says that athletes have to declare where they will be available for testing for one hour, five days a week.

But Christie – who failed a dope test for the steroid nandrolone in 1999 when he was semi-retired from the sport – believes there should be greater co-operation between the athletes and their federations.

He said: “I think more people need to work together. Athletes need to talk to the federation, the federation need to talk to the testers and everyone else, to get together and make it work.”

“Some athletes are not great at lifestyle management unfortunately, but that's not their job. Their job is to go out there and perform.”

Dave Collins, UK Athletics performance director, admitted on Tuesday that more than 70 British athletes had missed at least one out of competition test.

“It's an extremely complicated process but they have to do it,” said Collins. “It's an essential part of them being professional athletes and us making sure it's a drug free sport.

“It's not without its challenges and there are certain ways in which we are trying to make this easier for the athletes.“