Chambers likely to challenge bylaw

10:41am Saturday 17th May 2008

Dwain Chambers is likely to seek a legal challenge against a British Olympic Association bylaw which bans drug cheats from the British team if he wins the 100 metres at the British Olympic trials.

Chambers served a two-year suspension after he tested positive for the anabolic steroid Tetrahydrogestrinone (THG) in August 2003, and after brief foray into rugby league he has now committed himself again to full-time athletics with the aim to compete at this summer's Beijing Olympics.

Lawyer Nick Collins said: "We can confirm that Dwain Chambers will be taking proceedings to secure his eligibility/participation in the Olympic and National trials in Birmingham from 11-13 July."

The BOA, which has a 1992 regulation banning anti-doping violators from representing Team GB, have already stressed they will fight any attempt he makes whatever the financial cost, to challenge their authority.

A legal battle is likely to ensue after the 30-year-old sprinter's solicitors issued a carefully-worded statement on Friday.

It is suggested Chambers would almost certainly take his case to the High Court if he achieves UK Athletics selection criteria and is rejected from the side by the BOA.

The BOA is the only national Olympic committee in the world that still has a bylaw which automatically imposes a lifetime ban on drug offenders and believes it will be successful whatever challenges are made against it.

However given that Chambers and other former cheats have served their punishments, there are many experienced officials including former World Anti-Doping Agency president Dick Pound, who believe the BOA are on shaky ground.

Should Chambers score a victory in Birmingham in the final on July 12, UK Athletics selection rules guarantee unless there are exceptional circumstances, he should be included in the team.

But the BOA have to the right to overrule the athletics selectors and their current bylaw would almost certainly be invoked which will result in legal proceedings.

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