Running out of options as he tries to make a living

What next?

DWAIN Chambers' career in athletics looks to be over after failing to gain an interdict on the British Olympic Association's rule that drugs cheats should be banned for life from Olympic selection.

At the High Courts this week, his representative Jonathan Crystal said that his client would "walk into the sunset" if he failed in court.

In a short excerpt from his witness statement, read out in court by Crystal, Chambers said: "I have a young family. I have no savings and sport administrators seem to do all they can to stop me from entering my sport."

Here we have the crux of the matter. Athletics is Chambers' only way of earning a good living, and he may find that he has no choice but to continue to fight for his right to race. The Olympics are the only event he is barred from, and he could still earn a living on the grand prix circuit. First, however, he would have to convince race promoters that he does not represent damaged goods.

His attempts to exploit his talent away from athletics have not been successful. A switch to rugby league with Castleford Tigers went spectacularly wrong, starting with a blaze of publicity and the prospect of being thrown straight into the first team, followed by a run in the reserves and then release.

The normal sources of revenue pursued by successful athletes away from competition itself are also out of reach for Chambers. He can only dream of endorsement deals and major sponsorship contracts, with his value tainted by his reputation as a confessed drug cheat. There are few of his colleagues willing to offer him shelter either.

Yesterday's verdict was welcomed by several leading figures in athletics, including former world record holder Steve Cram who described it as the "right decision".

"From what I have heard this is the right decision," said Cram. "The pertinent point about the whole hearing was about timing and people would have preferred if he had started the procedure a lot earlier.

"The judgment isn't about Dwain, but a matter of principle and a vindication of the bylaw. In future anyone receiving a drug suspension will be aware of this."

Lynn Davies, the 1964 Olympic long jump gold medallist and UK Athletics president, added: "All along UK Athletics has supported the BOA bylaw although we said we would accept the decision of the court. I'm not making any judgment personally against Dwain Chambers. What I think is, this is about principle and we the UKA board don't want to see anyone with a drug conviction competing for their country."

Colin Jackson, a former Olympic 110m hurdles silver medallist and world record holder, also backed the decision to uphold the ban.

Jackson said: "I'm really happy Dwain has lost his appeal. This is more about a principle than anything else and the decision has sent out a clear message that we are not going to accept people in our team who have committed offences such as this."

Jackson also had a clear message for Chambers, adding: "Dwain, get on with your life, whatever that might be – we don't want you in our team."

European 800m bronze medallist Becky Lyne, who was among a group of athletes who signed a petition against Chambers being allowed to compete in the Olympics, said: "I'm really pleased. I don't want to be nasty and he's suffered a lot but it's important that the law has been upheld. He knew what it was before committing his offence."

For Chambers, there are very few options left, but plenty of regrets.