DWAIN Chambers has taken what appears to be the first step in his bid to challenge the Olympic ban imposed upon him by the British Olympic Association (BOA).
His lawyer Nick Collins confirmed in a statement Chambers will be "taking proceedings to secure his eligibility/participation in the Olympic and National trials in Birmingham from 11-13 July".
That clearly indicates that if Chambers shou
ld win the 100 metres title there, he will take legal action against the BOA for the right to compete at the Beijing Games in August
A BOA by-law automatically imposes lifetimes bans upon athletes who commit doping offences, and that applies to Chambers who tested positive for tetrahydrogestrinome (THG) in August 2003.
Chambers, after serving his two-year suspension, returned to competition in 2006 and quickly established himself as the country's top sprinter, winning a European Championships 4x100metres gold medal in Gothenburg.
Then, in March of this year, Chambers proved himself as a world-class performer, winning the World Indoors 60m silver medal in Valencia.
The 30-year-old Londoner then indicated he was likely to challenge the BOA ruling either through the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) or in the High Court.
However, his plans were put on hold when he undertook a month's trial with Castleford rugby league club but was unable to secure a contract with the Yorkshire side.
Now, if he is to compete in Beijing, it is inevitable his participation will be resolved in the High Court.
The BOA has already stated it will oppose Chambers' return whatever the financial cost, but many – including former World Anti-Doping Agency president Dick Pound – believe the 1992 byelaw rests on "shaky ground".
Chambers announcement came on an eventful day after meeting with anti-drug czar John Scott at UK Sport headquarters in London this morning.
Solicitor Collins handed Scott a letter which revealed Chambers was using a cocktail of drugs during the 20-month period he was cheating to enhance his career.
The letter sent to him by drugs supplier Victor Conte cited the use of human growth hormone, the blood-boosting drug EPO, insulin, a testosterone/epitestosterone cream, a drug called modafinil used to promote alertness, and finally liothryonine, a synthetic form of thyroid hormone.
It explained his usage was in cycles of three weeks on, one week off during the winter training period in conjunction with an intense weight-lifting programme.
Scott said in a statement: "We welcome the fact that Dwain has come in to speak with us.
"We had a constructive and positive meeting and see it very much as the starting point of what we hope will be an ongoing relationship.
"This was a private meeting and it will not assist either party to go into any great detail of what was discussed."
The full article contains 475 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
