Chambers challenges Olympics ban

Chambers is currently barred from competing in an Olympics under a BOA bylaw which bans drug cheats from the British team unless there are mitigating circumstances.

A statement from Chambers' legal team said: "Ford and Warren are able to confirm that they have, on Thursday, issued proceedings on behalf of Dwain Chambers against the British Olympic Association."

The statement continued: "The question the court is asked to decide is whether the BOA bylaw in relation to persons found guilty of a doping offence is void and unenforceable against first time offenders.

"Mr Chambers will seek, from the court, a declaration that the bylaw is unenforceable; a declaration that he is eligible for inclusion in Team GB for Beijing 2008; and an order that, subject to his achieving first or second place at the UK trials, he be included in Team GB for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games."

The statement added: "The basis of Mr Chambers' claim is that the bylaw is an unreasonable restraint of trade in that it goes further than is reasonably necessary for protecting the interests of BOA and the public; and further, that the bylaw is inherently unfair and unreasonable given the surrounding circumstances."

The BOA have pledged to "vigorously and unequivocally" defend their right to ban drug offenders from competing at the Olympics.

A statement from the BOA said: "We can confirm that the British Olympic Association has received service of proceedings from lawyers acting on behalf of Dwain Chambers.

"The BOA will vigorously defend any case that comes to us which is challenging our eligibility bylaw.

"In the interests of the British Olympic Movement and the athletes who aspire to line up at an Olympic Games and our youngsters looking for Olympic glory in London, the BOA confirms that it will vigorously and unequivocally defend its lifetime ban on drug cheats who have brought themselves and their sports into disrepute."