Former 400m European champion Thomas set for Olympics recall - at 34 - Sport

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Iwan Thomas, who last ran a competitive 400 metres in 2005, is ready for the
next step of his return to the sport - and it could take him all the way to next
month's Aviva National Championships which incorporate the team selection for
the Olympic Games in Beijing.

Welshman Thomas has spent the last three years keeping fit and battling against
injury, always determined that he still has a future in athletics.

There was enough proof of that on Sunday when he was handed the baton for the
second leg of the 4x400m relay for his club Newham & Essex Beagles in the
British League in Birmingham.

Back in the fold: Iwan Thomas could return to the British team

The last time Thomas, 34, the former European and Commonwealth 400m champion,
competed over the one-lap distance where he made his name was at the Welsh
Championships in Cardiff in August 2005.

Then he was third in 47.40 seconds and he was aiming to make the team for the
Commonwealths in Melbourne the following March.

It never happened because of injury but now, training in between his media and
educational work, he is back.

Newham won the relay on Sunday and Thomas is plotting a 400m in Leiden in
Holland on Saturday for the next leg of his comeback.

He said: "I train only three days a week, I never run on back-to-back days and
I am enjoying it.

"Beijing is not in my plans but I don't see why I wouldn't enter the AAA
Championships if I am running well enough."

Thomas remains the British record holder at 400m. His time of 44.36secs was set
at the Alexander Stadium in 1997 and it was on the same track on Sunday that he
charged away to increase Newham's lead in the relay.

He added: "It was nice to be free of injury and running. I went off a bit hard
and I was knackered at the finish, but that will improve with races."

As Thomas runs abroad on Saturday, Dwain Chambers will compete at the South of
England Championships at Crystal Palace on the same afternoon.

Chambers ran the opening leg for his club Belgrave Harriers as they finished
second in the 4x100m relay in Birmingham to complete another good day at the
office.

Chambers is still chasing the Olympic 100m qualifying time of 10.21. He had won
a non points-scoring 100m earlier in the afternoon in 10.28 but he is looking
forward to running three rounds at Crystal Palace.

Chambers and his legal team have not confirmed when they will be making an
official High Court appeal against the British Olympic Association over his
lifetime ban from the Games following his drugs suspension. But he is determined
to achieve the qualifying time and said: "I am optimistic. I have three races
next week at Crystal Palace so that will probably bring better out in me."