UK Anti-Doping’s (UKAD) chief admitted it is “not common” for an athlete to have two missed tests yesterday after it was revealed that double Olympic champion Mo Farah was one missed appointment away from a possible lengthy ban.

The Daily Mail reported on Wednesday night Farah, who won gold in the 5,000 and 10,000 metres in London, missed a first test early in 2010 with another the following year.

Under the “three strikes’ system” a third missed appointment would have counted as a doping offence carrying a maximum four-year ban.

Video evidence submitted to UKAD by Farah’s agent Ricky Simms aiming to show the runner had not heard the doorbell may also have helped avert any possible charge for deliberately trying to evade testers.

Under the “whereabouts” system, athletes have to register where they will be for a specific hour every day so that testers can be sure of their location. If they are not where they say they will be three times in the space of a year then it is judged as a doping offence.

UKAD chief executive Nicole Sapstead said: “It is not common for athletes to have two missed tests.”

UKAD’s legal director Graham Arthur added that any evidence of a deliberate attempt to avoid testers would lead to an immediate doping charge and a ban of up to four years.