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Chambers makes Spar team

21/06/2006

Dwain Chambers is set to continue his comeback from his drugs ban by featuring for the Great Britain and Northern Ireland team in the Spar European Cup in Malaga next week.

The Belgrave Harrier ran 10.09 in the 100 metres in Gateshead at the Norwich Union grand prix last week, his first outing for two years, and he has been rewarded for his fine form with the much-coveted 100m spot.

Christian Malcolm, coached by Linford Christie, takes the 200m berth while Graham Hedman goes in the 400m.

Making their GB debuts will be Germaine Mason, the Birchfield Harriers high jumper, and 20-year-old Richard Hill who runs in the 800m.

Dave Collins, performance director for UK Athletics, said all the athletes' performances will be under scrutiny at the meeting.

"I have made no secret of the fact that I expect athletes to step up to the plate in this competition - such is the scale of the challenge we face in Malaga," he said.

Collins also explained that he has taken the unusual step of not naming a team captain although he was quick to point out that this was not because there is no standout candidate for the role.

"We have not selected any team captains because if you need someone to motivate you at this level - you're in the wrong place," he added.

"I would much prefer a team full of captains, and I expect each athlete to acquit themselves in such a manner."

The team's beleaguered 4x100m squad will be under the most pressure to perform and could see any combination of the seven possible runners named in the starting team.

Tim Abeyie, Darren Campbell, Marlon Devonish, Jason Gardener, Christian Malcolm, Mark Lewis-Francis and Chambers all make the trip.

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