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Chambers set for drugs ban return

08/06/2006

Dwain Chambers could be set to make an earlier-than-expected return from his drugs ban at the Norwich Union grand prix in Gateshead this Sunday.

The British sprinter, a former European 100 metres champion, has not raced since testing positive for steroids in August 2003.

His ban is over but he still owes the money he won to the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) and is not permitted to race until he pays it back.

This sum is said to be in the region of £100,000 but the runner's agent Cubie Seegobin has revealed he is in talks with IAAF officials because Chambers cannot afford even a 20 per cent downpayment at this time.

Seegobin told the Times that he is hopeful Chambers will be allowed to return to the track so he can start raising funds to pay the IAAF back.

"We are close to an agreement with some minor outstanding issues pending," he told the newspaper.

"But I am very optimistic that he will run this weekend. We are working around the clock towards that."

Chambers is Britain's joint fastest sprinter in history, sharing Linford Christie's 100m record of 9.87 seconds, which he achieved in 2002.

Should he indeed return this weekend, he will line up alongside the two fastest men in the world in Asafa Powell and Justin Gatlin.

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