Sir Chris Hoy and Sebastian Coe yesterday led the expressions of disappointment after it emerged that the British Olympic Association (BOA) are resigned to losing a court battle to keep their lifetime ban for drugs cheats.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) will deliver a ruling next week after the BOA challenged the World Anti-Doping Association (WADA) for declaring the ban "non-compliant".

Although the BOA have had no indication from the court, senior officials have confirmed that they are preparing for defeat. It means that sprinter Dwain Chambers and cyclist David Millar, who have both previously served bans for doping, now look set to be part of Team GB for the London 2012 Olympics.

Hoy, the four-times Olympic cycling champion, said: "It will be sad if we have to fall in line with the rest of the world.

"I don't see anything wrong with having more stringent rules. I think it should be the rest of the world that's falling in line with our rules.

"If you are caught for taking drugs, then you will not be allowed to compete in the Olympic Games. That, to me, is a good incentive not to take drugs."

London 2012 chairman Coe reiterated his support for the BOA's bylaw. "My position on this is well known," he said. "I think it is right for sporting organisations to have the autonomy to decide who they want to see in their teams."