lookupsport

Dwain Chambers has caused massive controversy on his comeback to Athletics. In many ways even more controversy than when he was banned 5 years ago for taking the banned drug THG.

At the time of his ban he said he had “unwittingly” taken the drug, and received sympathy from many of his peers and big names associated to the sport. As such he was more or less welcomed back when his ban ended.

However, since then he has admitted he took drugs knowingly and has compounded the issue by adding that “you have to take drugs to win”. Now just about everybody has withdrawn their support for him. The problem now is that he comfortably won the 60m indoor trials at the weekend and has now been selected to represent GB, amongst huge protest from just about everybody.

In fairness to the selectors they have no choice in the matter unless they want to risk legal action of some sort. They have simply followed their own rules. The problem is clear. The rules are wrong.

If anybody takes drugs, they should received a life time ban. Full and final. There can be no argument that it “accidental” or “unwitting”. These athletes are surrounded by coaches and medical staff who know what is and is not legal. There is no grey area as far as I can see.

The problem as I see it is that some of these drugs enable muscles to be built up. Once this has happened does the extra bulk disappear after 2 years or are they able to keep it by working out and therefore always have that extra advantage. Not only that, they have brought their sport into disrepute and denied somebody the chance of standing on a podium and receiving the credit they deserve. This is only partially rewarded when medals are awarded retrospectively.
Chambers should do the decent thing and withdraw, and allow one of the honest hard working athletes to take his place. He won’t do that though, as he seems thick skinned enough to soak up the criticism and determined to milk the sport he has damaged for as much money as he can before he has to retire.