GB name Chambers in Worlds squad

[Steve Gardner]

Dwain Chambers has been picked to represent GB in next month's World Indoor Championships.

After receiveing a two-year ban in February 2004 for taking the anabolic steriod TGH, many, including the selectors themselves, are uncomfortable with Chambers' inclusion in the squad.

What do you think? Should Chambers be allowed to represent his country in any competition?

Source: BBC

Dwain Chambers has been included in Great Britain's squad for next month's World Indoor Championships.

The sprinter, who was banned from athletics for two years after testing positive for the performance-enhancing drug THG, will run over 60m in Spain.

UK Athletics had opposed the selection of Chambers for the three-day event in Valencia because of his doping past.

But the 29-year-old Londoner won last weekend's trials, giving team bosses little choice but to pick him.

"I'm delighted by the decision that was made," said Chambers. "I want to thank the selectors for what I know was a hard decision for themselves to make."

However, in a strongly worded statement, selectors made it clear they had chosen Chambers under duress.

"The committee was unanimous in its desire not to select Dwain," read the statement.

"Taking him to the World Indoors deprives young, upwardly mobile, committed athletes of this key development opportunity.

"Our World Class Performance Programme is focused on achievement at Olympic and World level.

"On this basis, it is extremely frustrating to leave young athletes at home; eligible for Beijing, in possession of the qualifying standard and committed to ongoing participation in a drug-free sport.

"In contrast, we have to take an individual whose sudden return, especially when considered against his previous actions and comments, suggests that he may be using the whole process for his own ends.

"Unfortunately, the committee felt that the selection criteria pertaining to the winner of the trials, coupled with the manner of Dwain's performance, left them no room to take any other decision.

"We wish all the selected athletes well at the event but will certainly explore ways in which future selections can be made to match the true 'spirit' of our sport."

And performance director Dave Collins insists UKA have not bowed to the pressure of a potential legal battle.

"I can say with confidence that wasn't on my mind," said Collins. "I was keeping my eye on the ball against performance criteria and the purpose of the selection committee."

Chambers had already represented Britain following his drugs ban, winning 4x100m relay gold at the European Championships in 2006.

He looked to have turned his back on athletics when he tried to forge a career in American football.

But he caught everyone by surprise, in particular UKA, by making a return to the track last month, although he remains ineligible for the Olympics in Beijing later this year because of his doping suspension.

Collins is not convinced that Chambers is back in the sport for good and has completely turned his back on American Football.

"I don't have personal evidence to that effect, but I am looking at his actions and saying: 'Is this a guy who is going to be committed to athletics in the long term?'" said Collins.

"Is he going to come in and be part of the process and put himself on the out-of-competition register?

"I have not asked Dwain if he is going to do that. It was frustrating picking him and I wonder, is he being driven to do this for personal publicity?"

UKA chief executive Niels de Vos initially banned Chambers from competing in last weekend's trials for the World Indoor Championships, claiming he must undergo an extensive period of drug testing.

But the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) overruled this decision and UKA reluctantly allowed Chambers to compete in Sheffield.

De Vos, however, is determined to amend UKA's constitution and prevent any athlete who has committed an anti-doping violation from competing in British colours.

Chambers is one of 21 athletes named in UKA's first wave of selections for the World Indoor Championships, which run from 7-9 March.

Among them is shot putter Carl Myerscough, who was banned for doping for two years in 1999.

A second wave of athletes to make up the full team will be announced on 26 February.

Meanwhile, Chambers has not been asked to appear at this Saturday's Norwich Union Grand Prix in Birmingham.

"Dwain Chambers will not be invited to compete at the Norwich Union Grand Prix on Saturday," said event director Jon Ridgeon.

"Under IAAF rules, the event promoters have the right to invite whoever they wish, and both UK Athletics and Fast Track do not want the world's number one indoor meet to be overshadowed by this issue.

"This is not a personal matter with regards to Dwain Chambers but a view taken as part of our responsibility towards protecting the image of the sport."

[Steve Gardner]

Fresh from causing a stink over his selection for the World Indoor Championships, Chambers looks like he might launch an appeal against his Olympic ban.

My view is that, whilst the rules do technically permit it, he shouldn't even be competing in the Worlds let alone the Olympics.

I really don't think there's a place in athletics - or any sport - for anyone who says that athletes can't win without taking drugs.

Source: BBC

Dwain Chambers will wait until after the World Indoor Championships in March before deciding whether to appeal against his lifetime Olympic ban.

Chambers' lawyer Nick Collins told BBC Sport he could take his case to compete in the Beijing Games to the High Court.

Under British Olympic Association (BOA) rules, the sprinter is banned from the Games after he tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs in 2003.

But an advisor said Chambers is focused on running the 60m event in Valencia.

Damion Silk, who is acting as the 29-year-old's public relations spokesman, said he will not be making any further statements on an appeal case until after conclusion of the three-day indoor championships on 9 March.

The Londoner had missed the BOA's 15 February deadline for to lodge an appeal against his ban, ruling him out of representing Great Britain in this summer's Games.

But Collins said Chambers had only been given short notice of the BOA's deadline, but revealed he would be keeping his options open.

"I was with Dwain and we had a long and productive meeting and he is in very good spirits and is not going to rush into any decision regarding his appeal," he said.

"Dwain is focused on his training and on competing in Valencia and he wants to do well for his country."

No British athlete has gone to the High Court before to take on the BOA over a lifetime ban and Chambers would be the first to do so.

However, if Chambers opts to try to overturn his ban in the courtroom, he could face an enormous legal bill for his troubles.

He already owes the International Association of Athletics Federations £100,000 from prize money he had earned while using steroids.

Collins refused to comment on how Chambers will fund any legal case.

Chambers has been controversially included in Britain's squad to run in the 60m, despite UK Athletics' reluctance to select him.

He was banned for two years after he tested positive for tetrahydrogestrinone (THG)

After a brief career in American Football in Europe, Chambers returned to athletics for a second time and won the 60m sprint at the world indoor trials on 10 February, a victory which earned him an automatic slot in the British team.

Chambers has already been hit by various snubs from future domestic and world athletics meets, as well as condemnation from administrators and former athletes.

Former Olympian and 100m runner Allan Wells threatened to sever ties with the BOA if Chambers was given the green light to compete in Beijing.

[Steve Gardner]

I have a nasty feeling Chambers will challenge the BOA regarding their Olympic ban and win. I certainly didn't expect someone like Dick Pound to be giving him any encouragement though.

I know Chambers has served his time, as they say, but his inclusion in GB's Olympic squad will damage athletics. A great deal of attention will be focussed on him rather than those more deserving. And it will all be negative. We'll have fellow competitors slating him, spectators 'booing' him and commentators constantly questioning and analysing the decision to allow him to participate.

And I don't even want to contemplate the uproar should he actually win a medal.

Source and full article: BBC

The rule that prevents Dwain Chambers from going to the Beijing Games will not stand up in court, says the ex-boss of the World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada).

Dick Pound believes the British Olympic Association (BOA) by-law that bans drugs cheats from competing for Team GB does not comply with Wada legislation.

Chambers, who failed a drugs test in 2003, is considering a legal challenge.

"As a matter of law, I think the BOA would be on pretty shaky ground," the 65-year-old Pound told BBC Sport.

"If the BOA sought to deny me a place in the 2008 Olympic team on the basis solely of my earlier drugs offence, I would say that they don't have the power to do that.

"I've always felt it was fairly clear what the outcome (of a challenge) would be."

[Steve Gardner]

Although this thread started life being about Chambers' inclusion in the Worlds, enough has already been said about a possible challenge to his Olympic ban that this won't be out of place.

Source and full article: BBC

Dwain Chambers has won his first 100m race since August 2006 and declared his confidence that he will be able to compete at the Beijing Olympics.

The British sprinter has completed an IAAF two-year ban for testing positive for the steroid THG and clocked 10.26 seconds at Greece's Papaflessia meet.

Chambers, 30, plans to challenge his lifetime ban by the British Olympic Association at London's High Court.

"Beijing is still there. I'll be there, don't worry," he said.