Controversial British athletics icon Dwain Chambers to make shock return to competitive sprinting aged 45
DWAIN CHAMBERS will run in a competitive race at the age of 45, yet he should really forget all about winning!
But despite his dodgy drugs past, UK Athletics are open for him to work with and talk to the current generation about his chequered past and complicated history.
In his pomp, Chambers was one of the best sprinters around, winning bronze at the 100 metres at world level in 1999 plus gold over 60 metres indoors in Doha 14 years ago.
But infamously, he was caught up in the whole USA BALCO doping scandal – in 2003, he tested positive for a banned steroid, was suspended from the sport for two years and was stripped of some medals.
Chambers probably should have retired by now and given up competition but he will be the oldest person in the field at the two-day UK Athletics Indoor Championships in Birmingham.
UKA Olympic Head Coach Paula Dunn said: “The reality is he’s not going to qualify for the World Indoors with the standards.
“He enjoys his athletics. He’s qualified as right.
“He’s doing great work down in Lee Valley with his academy. So like every other athlete, he can continue to race.
“I don’t think he has aspirations, realistically, to go to the World Indoors (in Glasgow) but he’s running very well for somebody who’s in his mid-forties.
“Some people enjoy keeping fit and competing. He obviously feels he has more to give.
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“And like any athlete he feels he wants to reach his full potential at the age of 45.
“As a sport, we’re inclusive. So, he’s welcome to do that.”
It is ten years since he last ran in GB colours, notably finishing fourth in the 100 metres final at the European Championships in Zurich.
That year, he also ran at the 2014 World Indoors in Sopot, Poland, but came sixth as Teesside Tornado Richard Kilty claimed the 60-metre title.
Some will not forgive Chambers for his indiscretions and UKA policy permits someone who has served a drugs ban from being employed as a national coach.
Dunn would have no issue potentially bringing him into a UKA camp, especially as he tried to redeem himself, teaching people about the pitfalls of cheating.
She said: “Dwain has done lots of workshops telling youngsters about the dangers and how you have to say focused on what you are trying to achieve without taking shortcuts.
“So for me, it’s a story of redemption. He got caught, he owned up to it and he has tried to make the best of a situation.
“If he can educate people about the pitfalls, I think that’s a bonus.
“Sometimes the best people to give the message is the person who has suffered through some consequences.
“So it is not off the table but I haven’t actually thought about it. Long-term, it could be something that could be useful for the programme.
“As an adviser and as a speaker to athletes in the areas that he talks in at the moment then he could be useful.”
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