Cousins determined to use his slice of luck

PETER COUSINS is luckier than most Beijing-bound competitors - and has vowed to make the most of his second chance.

In January 2006 Cousins fell foul of a new system which required athletes to update their availability for testing online and his career was hanging in the balance.

The 27-year-old from Harlow was subsequently banned for missing three out of competition drug tests but it was overturned, on appeal, in November that year.

The British Olympic Association went onto accept there were ‘technological teething problems and some understandable confusion' and Cousins hasn't looked back.

He secured his place in China by winning a silver medal at the World Championships in Rio de Janeiro last September and can't wait to get started.

"In Athens I went as a reserve so I know what an Olympics is all about and I'm really excited," Cousins said.

"It's been a strange couple of years but I was never worried about the lifetime ban from the BOA - I hadn't cheated.

"I was just stupid and naïve to miss the tests but the truth is I've never really known much about computers and didn't know what I was supposed to do.

"I only used computers for leisure and it was a stupid, stupid mistake but nothing more.

"But it's all in the past now and I'm confident of having a good Olympics.

"It's going to be tough as Judo is getting stronger all of the time but I will look to win every contest and if I do that I will be holding a medal."

CRAIG CHISNALL