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Chambers targets participation in London 2012

20/07/2008

Sprinter Dwain Chambers says he has not given up hope of competing in the London Olympics in 2012.

On Friday Chambers was denied the opportunity to compete at next month's Beijing Olympics when the High Court chose not to temporarily suspend the lifetime ban imposed on him by the British Olympic Association (BOA).

The full hearing is set for March next year, though there is some conjecture as to whether the hearing will happen at all now Chambers has failed to reach this year's Olympics.

The London-born athlete would be 34 when the Olympics arrive in his home town in 2012 but he has not given up hope of competing at those Games.

Chambers told ITV News: "Participation first and foremost is a key thing for me. And then if I get a medal out of it, that'll be great. Then I'll be done.

"I just want to compete. I'm a born runner, I'm here to run and I just want to do the best I can and show what I really can do as a clean athlete."

Chambers has completed a two year ban for testing positive for THG and if he was from most other countries would be allowed to compete at the Olympics but a BOA by-law prevents him from doing so.

Chambers claims the by-law, which is in addition to the IAAF ban, is unfair restraint of trade and says all he wants is a second chance.

Despite the BOA's attempts to stop him from competing Chambers says he hopes to still achieve his dream of competing in 2012.

He said: "You've got to take the rough with the smooth on this one and I'm a tough cookie, I can deal with it. No matter what, I'm still going to go out and achieve my goals."