Diane Modahl has just one more chance to claim compensation from the British Athletic Federation (BAF). Modahl was banned from athletics in 1994 for four years after failing a drugs test in Lisbon.

After clearing her name, she was given the go-ahead by the Court of Appeal to sue the BAF on the grounds of alleged bias during disciplinary proceedings brought against her.

But Modahl failed in a plea for the right to sue on the additional ground that the Lisbon laboratory which carried out her drugs test was not accredited by international athletic bodies and therefore the BAF should not have acted on its results.

Now Modahl is left with just the claim of bias to act upon to recoup the £480,000 she spent on legal and medical costs in challenging the four-year ban imposed by the BAF.

Although she has been emotionally and physically drained by the legal fight, Modahl has vowed to continue her action against the BAF.

"It is not just a blow for me - I believe it removes an important protection for all athletes who rely on a properly regulated testing regime," said Modahl.

"The case goes on and we are preparing for trial. The BAF are not off the hook."

The 800 metres runner has withdrawn from this weekend's World Championship trials at Birmingham after being diagnosed anaemic and suffering from stress.

"I'm so tired of the injustices of this struggle," said Modahl.

"It is obvious there is a failure in the system, of which I have exposed many. There is no protection whatsoever for the innocent athlete."