Athletics: Chambers takes silver

Mar 8 2008 by Our Correspondent, Western Mail

DWAIN CHAMBERS insisted he wanted to “relax” before considering whether to follow up his silver medal success in the 60m at the World Indoor Championships with an appeal against his lifetime Olympic ban.

Chambers (below) claimed a joint silver in Valencia behind Olusoji Fasuba in a personal best time of 6.54 seconds in what may be his only event of the year, with European meeting organisers snubbing the drugs cheat and British Olympic Association rules barring him from competing in Beijing this summer.

He said, “I was under a lot of pressure. I wanted to go and win and I can’t complain with a PB. The better man won on the day.”

Asked how his comeback would continue, he added, “There may not be a comeback. As I said earlier, this is my Olympic Games, I’ve got my medal, I’m happy and let’s hope there’s a chance for me to move forward. If not, then I’ll pursue a career elsewhere.”

A BOA bylaw bans athletes who have served doping offences from competing in future Games, but speculation persists that Chambers may challenge the rules.

But last night Chambers said, “I just want to relax from here first, check my situation and check if it’s worth appealing and, if there’s a chance of me winning, then it’s something I’d consider, but for now I just want to celebrate with my team-mates and go and have some fun.”

Kelly Sotherton had earlier taken a silver medal in the women’s pentathlon, losing out on gold by just 15 points to Belgium’s Tia Hellebaut.

“It should have been my title for the taking, but she had a great competition and the better girl won on the day,” Sotherton said.

Jeanette Kwakye took an impressive silver too in the women’s 60m, breaking the British record.