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Axed Chambers faces new fight to save his career
9 Mar 2009Dwain Chambers was today left out of Britain's relay team for this summer's world championships in Berlin and now faces a fight for his future in the sport.
Chambers, who won gold in the 60metres at the European Indoor Championships in Turin yesterday, will not feature in Berlin because his previous drug offences prevent him from running at so many events, including the Olympics.
He could also find his career is over following the publication of his autobiography, Race Against Me, which officials at athletics' governing body, the IAAF, fear have brought the sport into disrepute.
Chambers has documented his use of the banned steroid THG and has also been critical of prominent athletes and officials, including IAAF vice-president Lord Coe.
UK athletics chairman Ed Warner said today that the IAAF felt let down by the 30-year-old.
“He did a deal with the IAAF that would allow him to run so he could use his winnings to repay the IAAF money he won while he was running dirty',” Warner said.
“They are concerned that he may have brought the sport into disrepute and are quite concerned he is throwing that agreement back in their face.”
Speaking about any possible sanction against Chambers, Warner added: “It would be an IAAF sanction. He has been allowed to run to pay back that money and the IAAF are mindful he is still someway short of that mark.”
UK Athletics head coach Charles van Commenee confirmed today Chambers would not be included in the relay team for Berlin.
Van Commenee said: “Dwain is not eligible for the 2012 Olympic Games in London and that has influenced our decision. It's simply a lack of opportunity to practise in competition, Dwain is not allowed to compete in most of the international meets.”
Reader views (3)
His actions of drug taking cannot be discounted. However a decision has to be made to allow him to attempt to make good on his past mistakes. As is done in the prison system and attempt to draw something positive from the negative.
It is abundantly clear his past actions were wrong and he has made a number of errors in judgement and was not as intelligent as he should have been.
Is he currently clean and legal? if so, then let him show what he can be achieved and show young people, that it is in human nature to make errors....however what you do after making the error is keys to your future, to turn things around and make good. "It's good thing that all those who object have never made errors in their lives?"
The financial system is has clearly made errors...do we just continue to attack it or do we try to fix it/make good on past errors. Only one option has a positive outcome!
- Ryan, London, 09/03/2009 15:58
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I think it suits a number of people to make Dwain a pariah. He was caught as a drugs cheat and punished. Now he should be allowed to get on with his life. I am sure he was not the only one but he was the one that got caught. It is likely that a number of “holier than thou” individuals in athletics are equally guilty. The same also applies to other sports such as cycling.
- Michael, London, 09/03/2009 15:55
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As a country we should not be that desperate to win at any cost. he should be banned from competing in any event as he knew exactly what he was doing at the tme.
- Ray, Redhill Surrey, 09/03/2009 11:39
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