Saturday 19 July 2008

Drug cheat Chambers' Olympic dream is over as High Court denies him Olympic run

By David Williams
19th July 2008

Drugs cheat Dwain Chambers admitted defeat yesterday in his bid to compete at the Beijing Olympics after the High Court threw out his attempt to overturn a lifetime ban.

Britain's fastest sprinter will now watch this summer's Games on television rather than achieve his dream of running in the 100metres and sprint relay.

Dashed hopes: Chambers arrived at the High Court in London in buoyant mood (left), but looked devastated as he left

Dashed hopes: Chambers arrived at the High Court in London in buoyant mood (left), but looked devastated as he left

To the relief of athletics chiefs, Mr Justice Mackay refused in the High Court to grant an injunction temporarily suspending the lifetime Olympic ban imposed on Chambers by the British Olympic Association.

Had the 30-year-old won, the BOA would have been compelled to select him for the British team  -  a decision they feared would in effect have vindicated a cheat.

Chambers

Denied: A disappointed Dwain Chambers leaves the High Court today after his bid to run at the Olympics next month was rejected

Britain is one of only three countries with the lifetime ban bylaw and officials now hope other governing bodies will copy their tough stance and ensure no one found to have used drugs will scar the 2012 London Olympics.

Chambers, who was caught by a steroid test in 2003 and admitted taking other banned substances to improve performance, tried to hide his disappointment yesterday as he emerged for Court 76 and it was announced he would not appeal.
Lawyers have said that London-born Chambers would retire if he could not go to Beijing. There was no official confirmation last night.

Disappointment: Chambers leaves the High Court with his head bowed (above) whereas on arrival he appeared confident of victory (below)

Disappointment: Chambers leaves the High Court with his head bowed (above) whereas on arrival he appeared confident of victory (below)

Since the ban, Chambers, a father-of-one, has unsuccessfully attempted to become an American footballer, and a rugby league player with Castleford Tigers.
After serving his two-year suspension for using a designer steroid, Chambers won the
100metres at the Olympic athletics trials in Birmingham last Saturday and set his best time of the year, a performance that would have qualified him for the Olympic team.
He claimed the BOA bylaw was unfair, contrary to competition law and an unreasonable restraint on trade. But David Pannick, QC, representing the BOA, told the judge such claims could not apply to 'an amateur event, which takes place once every four years and for which there is no prize money'.

Celebrating: After winning the 100m in his best time of the year at the weekend

On form: Chambers celebrating after winning the 100m in his best time of the year at the weekend

On form: Chambers celebrating after winning the 100m in his best time of the year at the weekend

He added: 'If the court were to make an order requiring the claimant to be selected, that would deprive another athlete of his place in the team, even though the legality of the rule may be upheld at a full trial.' Mr Justice Mackay admitted yesterday to a packed courtroom: 'Many people both inside and outside sport would see this bylaw as unlawful. In my judgment, it would take a much better case than the claimant has presented to persuade me to overturn the status quo at this stage.' The High Court ruling in London was welcomed by British athletes past and present.
Five-time Olympic gold medallist rower Sir Steven Redgrave said: 'If you cheat and get caught, you will pay the penalty.'
Olympic gold medallist Denise Lewis said: 'I think this is a very fair verdict in the circumstances and shows that
Dwain now understands that he cannot break the rules just because he thinks it suits him. He knew the rules existed when he broke them.
'We must now get behind all the athletes representing Team GB in Beijing who have worked very hard to earn their places. I really think all our athletes will be delighted with this decision.'

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