PARIS (AP) — Former Olympic champion Jeannie Longo was cleared of breaching anti-doping rules by the French Cycling Federation on Tuesday in an embarrassing reversal for the French Anti-Doping Agency.

The 53-year-old Longo had faced a ban from three months to two years, a sanction that would effectively have ended the career of one of France’s favourite athletes. Now she has a chance to ride at the London Olympics if she qualifies.

Longo had faced a disciplinary hearing after the AFLD said she had three whereabouts violations. But she was cleared when one of those violations was considered invalid because she was no longer a member of the testing pool, which only lasts for one year.

“(Because) there is no infraction relative to the whereabouts requirements (of three failures in a period of 18 months), the national disciplinary commission therefore found that no violation of the anti-doping rules can be held against Jeannie Longo,” the FFC said.

The AFLD, which can appeal the FFC’s ruling, did not immediately comment. Calls to Longo’s home went unanswered.

Longo’s lawyer, Bruno Ravaz, praised the FFC’s decision and criticized the AFLD.

“We’re very, very happy. It’s a decision that does justice to Jeannie Long,” Ravaz told L’Equipe’s website. “(She) was not questioning the importance of the fight against doping, but wanted to defend the right of athletes to be treated equally, with respect to the procedures.”