Britain's top sprinter Dwain Chambers received a High Court ruling on Friday, barring him from competing in the Beijing Olympics next month. Expressing regret, the British Olympics Association (BOA) chief said it sends strong message for cheating in sports.
"I have to say that it is a matter of regret that Dwain Chambers an athlete with such undoubted talent, a winner of the European Youth Olympic Festival 100m as a young man - should by his own actions have put himself out of the running to shine on the Olympic stage in Beijing," said Colin Moynihan, chairman of the BOA, after hearing about the ruling.
However, he added, "on behalf of the athletes the BOA will continue to send a powerful and important message that nobody found guilty of serious drug cheating offenses should have the honor of wearing a Team GB (Great Britain) vest at the Olympic Games.
He noted, "the court's decision allows us now to focus on and support those athletes who will be traveling to the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games to represent Team GB in just 21 days time. We must now focus on their interests."
UK Sport, guardians of the World Anti-Doping Code in Britain, also welcomed the ruling.
Andy Parkinson, acting director of Drug-Free Sport, UK Sport, commented: "The very strong stand by British athletes against doping in sport is very welcome and must continue to be the basis of our fight against drugs in this country. "
UK Sport launched a anti-doping campaign last week, pledging to test all British athletes before they leave the country for Beijing, and make Britain a 'no go zone' for cheats.
The 30-year-old Chambers tested positive for the performance enhancing steroid tetrahydrogestrinone (THG) in 2003. The BOA gave him a lifetime ban since on the Olympics. After wining the Games qualification trials on Saturday with a 10 second finish, Chambers hoped the court injunction might allow him to participate in the Beijing Games.
John Regis, former coach for Chambers, told the British media that Dwain obviously wants to compete as he knows the Olympics is the pinnacle of sport.
Michele Verroken, the former head of anti-doping and ethics at UK Sport, said other countries should follow Britain's lead by taking a strong stance against former drug cheats at the Olympics.
Steve Redgrave and Dame Kelly Holmes are among the few high-profile sports stars who have come out against Chambers, both signing a letter opposing his inclusion in the squad.
Long distance runner Liz McColgan told Sky News that she welcomed the verdict.
"We don't want any youngsters to come into the sport thinking, 'It's only a two year ban, it's worth the risk'," she said.
"You make choices in life and our sport is about how fast you can run, or high you can run, whatever, with your natural ability."
(Xinhua News Agency July 19, 2008)