The 31-year-old's involvement in the Olympics had been thrown into doubt after the International Canoe Federation (ICF) had appealed against an earlier decision clearing him to take part.

Despite the ICF's challenge, the Ad Hoc CAS has decided that, while acknowledging the Czech paddler (pictured) was guilty of using a substance prohibited under ICF rules, he should nevertheless receive a reprimand and be free to compete in the Games.

The ICF has accepted the decision of the court, which met in London, and will not make any further comment.

Štĕrba, a member of his country's all-conquering K4 men's 1,000 metres sprint crew, had tested positive for a food supplement called Shot Gun which contained the stimulant beta-methylphenylethylamine.

After failing the drug test, Štĕrba was provisionally banned for six months by the ICF Doping Control Panel last month – a move that would have ruled him out of London 2012.

He successfully appealed to the arbitration panel of the sport's governing body which overturned the punishment after finding him not guilty of taking the substance.

However, incensed ICF officials were unwilling to accept this decision and duly took the matter further, to the CAS, arguing that the athlete had committed a doping offence and the ban should stand.

But Štĕrba, who was represented by London barrister Daniel Saoul, has now won his case and is free to compete when the canoeing starts on Tuesday (August 7) at Eton Dorney.

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