Selection for winner Dwain still in doubt

Chambers, 29, completed his dramatic comeback to the sport with a storming victory in the 60 metres at the Norwich Union Trials in Sheffield.

The team for the Championships is selected this morning and UKA might use their 'exceptional circumstance' rule and not name him because of his drugs past, even though he has met all their criteria. Although Chambers insists he is now clean, UKA chief executive De Vos has no plans to cheer him on if he is selected and then triumphs in Valencia next month.

"Personally, no, I won't," said De Vos. "I have made my point very clear. It's not about him, it is not anything negative to Dwain. As an athletics fan, I can see a guy who has come back and produced a good performance. I admire that.

But my responsibility is to the sport, not to an individual. The involvement of doping offenders is damaging to the sport."

Chambers, banned in 2003 for two years for testing positive for the designer steroid THG, could hardly control his emotion as he won in 6.56sec yesterday, leading all the way and jumping around in delight when he crossed the line. This second comeback — he returned in 2006 before embarking on a career in American football — has been fraught with controversy because of what he has brought to a sport desperate to repair its drug-tainted image in the wake of Marion Jones.

But Chambers said: "I am not here to be the bad guy. I am not here to create nightmares.

"Today has been worth everything I've been through and it's not over yet because my goal is to win the World Indoors. I am here to help the youngsters become more inspired. It works by putting one foot in front of the other and showing you do not need drugs to win. I want to make Britain look good again. I am trying to be the good guy.

"Drugs are wrong and I feel I have served my time and shown I can come back and win races clean, so I feel I am a good example to people. I want to win a medal for my country."

Chambers recorded the second fastest time in the world this year as he beat Simeon Williamson, second in 6.61. Preevent favourite Craig Pickering, the European Indoor silver medallist, was only fifth in 6.70. De Vos said: "We had no grounds to stop him (Chambers) running here and the selectors will look at the same criteria for every athlete. He is guaranteed to be considered for selection like any athlete."

Chambers' appearance was greeted with cheers, and the athlete said: "The crowd are more forgiving and understanding that I made my mistakes and I tried to set a positive example.

In other events, Jessica Ennis looked superb as she won the high jump with an indoor personal best of 1.92m and Phillips Idowu triumphed in the triple jump with 17.24m.

Away from Sheffield, British Olympic officials backed down yesterday over a contract with athletes that it was claimed would gag criticism of China at the Beijing Games.

The British Olympic Association said it would look again at the wording of the agreement after an outcry from human rights groups and politicians.

The angry reaction came after it emerged that officials had inserted a new clause in the contract Olympians must sign before competing in this summer's Games. It insists they must not comment on politically sensitive issues during the Games and they were warned that those who breach it could face being sent home.

Initially, BOA bosses denied trying to gag competitors, insisting they were free to answer questions but should not use the Games as a soapbox for political concerns.

Human rights group Liberty said muzzling athletes would be "un-British and un-Olympian". But chief executive Simon Clegg later conceded that the contract would need to be amended to make its intentions clearer.

"I accept that the interpretation of one part of the draft agreement appears to have gone beyond the provision of the Olympic Charter. This is not our intention nor is it our desire to restrict athletes' freedom of speech and the final agreement will reflect this."

UKA had attempted to prevent Chambers - who served a two-year suspension after he tested positive for tetrahydrogestrinone (THG) in August 2003 - from competing as they claimed he had retired to take up a career in gridiron, but the athlete maintained this was not the case.

Chambers said he hoped to be selected to compete in Valencia after the victory.

"I'm going to let my legs do the running and the lawyers do the talking," he said.

"I would like to believe that the selectors would do the right thing and let me compete. It is my goal to compete in the World Indoors and this race is one step on the ladder to doing that.

"Drugs are wrong and I feel I have served my time and shown that I can come back and win races as clean so I feel I am a good example to people.

"A lot of things have been said and maybe the media have put me under pressure but the support I have received from the public here was fantastic.

"I kept my cool on the track and came out first so I am happy with that.

"The support of everyone here meant a lot. I acknowledge I have made a mistake in the past and I want to move on with my life and enjoy running again."

Williamson, who finished second, did not have a problem with Chambers taking part in the event.

"Dwain has done his time and I have no problem with him running," he said.

"There was extra pressure in the race with him involved and I am pleased to finish second and hope to go to the World Indoors now."

After Chambers' victory, UKA chief executive officer Niels de Vos said the Belgrave Harrier's participation in Valencia would depend on a selection panel.

He added: "My personal view on the matter has already been made clear and it is now up to selection panel."