Thompson, who has been a practising barrister for 20 years specialising in crime and sports law, was supported by UK Athletics in her application for the prestigious position.

She said: "I am delighted to have been appointed and it is testament to the wonderful support I have received from UK Athletics.

"I look forward to working in the Court of Arbitration in 2011."

Mother of Daniel Caines, the 2001 world indoor 400m champion, and sister to two professional footballers – her brothers Garry and Keith Thompson played for Aston Villa and Coventry City respectively - Thompson has developed an expertise in sports law.

In 1998 she became a panel member for the disciplinary tribunals of UK Athletics and following that was appointed as chairwoman in 2001 for the Football Association appeals board.

That was extended in 2005 by sports resolutions to other areas such as swimming, anti-doping, child protection and the illegibility appeal involving Sports Council recognition of a sport.

Thompson reached the sprint hurdles semi-finals at the 1974 European Championships, but her top class career was curtailed soon afterwards as she became a Seventh Day Adventist and ceased competing on Saturdays.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]