And they're off. This week a lifetime ban on former drugs cheat sportsmen was lifted, thereby paving the way for athletes such as sprinter Dwain Chambers, cyclist David Millar and shot-putter Carl Myerscough to participate in the London 2012 Olympic Games.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport reached a verdict on the dispute between the British Olympic Association (BOA) and the World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada). As was widely expected, the ruling did not go the way that the BOA had hoped. Instead, the ruling appeared to be unequivocally in favour of Wada's stance on the issue.

Not all are enamoured with the lifting of the ban. The world 400 metres hurdles champion Dai Greene lambasted the decision. He complained: "Britain has tougher standards on drugs than the rest of the world, which I don't think are tough enough anyway. Other nations should get in line with us". One female caller to Radio 5 Live said that if any of the previously banned athletes won this summer, she planned to switch off her television when the National Anthem was played.

I found myself surprised at the level of vitriol surrounding the decision, a ruling that in the most basic sense will allow those who have made mistakes and erred to be given another chance.

The 12th-century scholar Rambam writes that true teshuvah (repentance) is when a person is faced with exactly the same scenario again. He uses an illicit relationship as the paradigm of this, and explains: "What is complete teshuvah?… When he is faced with the same woman, he has the same passion, the same strength and is in the same country, yet the only thing which prevents him from sinning again is his repentance".

Chambers should be chosen for Team GB

Of course, Rambam isn't suggesting that the person should put himself in the same position again. Rather, he means the person has changed so profoundly that he would be able to withstand the temptation.

When it comes to athletes who previously cheated with performance enhancing cocktails, their behaviour certainly had a negative impact on the lives of fellow sportsmen and most certainly on their teammates.

Consider a member of a four-man relay team; if one took drugs they would all lose their medals.

But the reality is that all sins and misdemeanours impact on the world as a whole, even if in ways not so visible.

Rambam writes that a person should view, not only himself, but the whole world as being on a knife's-edge, precisely and exquisitely balanced; half meritorious and half culpable. If a person does one sin, he tips the balance of his own life and that of the whole world to the negative side. However, with just one mitzvah, he can alter the balance of the whole world to the side of blessing and life. Surely Rambam's way of telling us that ultimately we are all on the same team, Olympic or otherwise?

I am aghast at the negative reaction of many to the idea of a second chance for drugs cheats. The West tends to embrace an understanding of Christianity that is all about mercy, compassion and forgiveness, so why is there the lack of mercy, compassion and forgiveness in this case?

Perhaps it is because of the permissiveness of contemporary society that many seek to find their moral compass by forbidding at least one thing with a passion - drugs.

But we should be mindful that some previously banned athletes have learnt from their experiences and have participated wholeheartedly in educating a new generation of youngsters to be more honest and play safe. By reflecting on their past misdemeanors, they have become better people and players.

The court's decision should be welcomed, not least because it reflects a thoroughly Jewish message. I hope that athletes such as Chambers, Millar and Myerscough are chosen to represent team GB.

It will send out a strong message to many, especially disenfranchised youngsters, that there is always a second chance and if you make a concerted effort to change, society will let you do so. I hope that the majority of people can be just as accepting.

Rabbi Daniel Levy is the senior minister of the United Hebrew Congregation, Leeds