Winn is a contender for the road race in Athens

Winn got a suspended three-month ban after testing positive for ephedrine at the Bynea Road Race and the Tour de Guadeloupe three years ago.

The BOA decided that the offence was minor and his lifetime Olympic ban should be commuted immediately.

Winn is a contender to ride alongside David Millar in the road race.

The BOA continues to believe that its lifetime ban for anyone found guilty of a doping offence sends the strongest possible message BOA chief executive Simon Clegg

Also benefiting from the ruling was Winn's compatriot John Evans who hopes to earn a place on the coaching staff.

He failed a test for pseudoephedrine at the 1992 Abergavenny Road Race and was suspended from the Welsh Cycling Union for six months, but his offence was also excused.

Despite the ruling, the BOA insist that they will continue to take a hard stance on drugs offences.

"The BOA continues to believe that its lifetime ban for anyone found guilty of a doping offence sends the strongest possible message to everyone in sport that we will not tolerate the use of performance-enhancing drugs," said the organisation's chief executive Simon Clegg.

"These decisions now clear the way for Julian Winn to seek selection in the road cycling events and for John Evans to seek nomination as a cycling team official."