GB chief Collins tells team to rally round Dwain

No British athlete at the world indoor championships next week will be forced against their will to share a room with Chambers at the team's hotel in Valencia but Collins called on all athletes to rally around the man who admits he took drugs.

'This is a Great Britain and Northern Ireland team at a world championships and I hope everybody will be hugely supportive,' said Collins.

'Some will be disappointed to see him there, some will be pleased for him but no athlete has said to me he is unhappy with Dwain being on the team.'

Simeon Williamson, 22, the European Under 23 100 metres champion, was named for his first senior international to partner Chambers in the 60 metres, a decision made easier for Collins because last year's European indoor silver medallist Craig Pickering had ended his winter season through injury.

Both men use the same training centre at London's Lee Valley at different times but whether he shares a room with Chambers will be his choice. 'We shall make a rooming list after we talk with athletes. In all cases we shall be very clear in asking ' are you okay with that',' said Collins.

Collins revealed he had talked to Chambers on several occasions before his comeback and knew before most that he was planning a return after his brief experiment with American football.

But he reiterated his belief in life bans and said he would have preferred to select an athlete who could have used the experience to help his Olympic preparations. Five other Olympic-eligible athletes beside Chambers were qualified by time.

What if Chambers, ranked seventh of those likely to be competing, were to win a medal in Valencia? 'I would be pleased for him on a personal level but it would be tinged with a lot of frustration,' admitted Collins.

Whatever Chambers achieves, Collins made clear he will not be his first choice for the single place in the 100 metres for Britain's team for the European Cup Super League meeting in June. 'I don't see us in a situation there where we are forced (on legal advice) to accept an athlete or not. I would see us leaning towards those eligible for the Olympics,' he said.

Only two of the Britons named, long jumper Chris Tomlinson and triple jumper Philips Idowu, currently rank in the medal positions in their events — Kelly Sotherton probably would if she had done a pentathlon this winter — and Collins refused to set a medal goal. 'This is not so much about medals but seeing how certain individuals preparing for the Olympics cope,' he said.