Ohuruogu fears her dreams of Olympic success may be over

The Commonwealth 400m champion's ban mean she is no longer eligible to run for Britain in future Olympic Games.

"The first point is to appeal against the Olympic ban because I think that is completely out of line," the 22-year-old told the Mail on Sunday.

"I wanted people to apply some common sense. I don't know if it will succeed, they've shown they can be really hard."

Interview: UK Athletics president Lynn Davies

And Ohuruogu said that she will retire if the chance to compete at the Olympics is taken away from her.

"If what they're looking at is an Olympic ban, I don't see the point in me running again," she added.

"That is what will destroy me the most. If that's the case, I probably will never run again.

"The Olympics is what you train for, that's the pinnacle, the highest you can get to. It's a shame because I've only just started in the sport."

Ohuruogu's coach Lloyd Cowan had already expressed his anger at the suspension, saying it was "very harsh".

I really didn't expect my hopes and dreams to end this way Christine Ohuruogu

"I'm disgusted at the punishment. She's been treated exactly the same as those who have committed very serious drugs violations," he said.

Cowan revealed the Londoner had wept after receiving news of her punishment.

"Christine cried for over two hours yesterday as her family and I tried to console her. 'How can they do this me?' she kept saying."

"No-one seems to have taken into account that she has never failed a test either after a race or out of competition. They've treated her very badly.

Unless she mounts a successful appeal, Ohuruogu will lose lottery funding and the medical support provided by UK Athletics' world-class performance plan.

The Melbourne gold medallist has been troubled almost constantly by Achilles injuries.

The independent disciplinary committee which found Ohuruogu guilty issued a statement saying she "had no intention of infringing the anti-doping rules".

But UK Athletics president Lynn Davies says Ohuruogu faces a tough battle to overturn the ban.

Ohuruogu celebrates with her Commonwealth 400m gold medal

"There isn't a lot of room for manoeuvre on this one," he told Five Live's Sportsweek programme.

"The committee said this meets the IAAF ruling of a 12 month ban based on missing three tests. We have to abide by this and respect their decision.

"It is a harsh punishment and to some extent out of relation to the violation.

"A lot of us in the sport are very sympathetic but rules are rules and sadly she has to abide by it.

"We need athletes like her around, she is great athlete and could be one of the faces of London 2012 so let us hope that it will finish up favourably."

The athlete admitted after news of her ban was released that she is now considering her future in the sport.

She said: "In reality, this is a two-year suspension, due to the fact that by August 2007, I will not be able to qualify for the World Championships.

"In addition to the fact that my Olympic dream is now over, this situation has been emotionally and financially costly for me.

"I am now forced to rationally consider my athletics future in light of today's decision.

"I feel strongly that my exclusion from the European Championships was adequate punishment for this offence and I really didn't expect my hopes and dreams to end this way."