Dwain Chambers banned from Beijing - is this the right decision?

Mr Justice Mackay today decided that Dwain Chambers should not compete at the Beijing Olympics next month, turning down the sprinter's appeal for an injunction against the BOA bylaw banning drugs offenders from appearing at the Games.

The decision could bring about the end of Chambers' athletics career. But is is the right one? Hasn't Chambers served his time in accordance with the rules on drug cheats?

No one can be left in any doubt that Chambers is Great Britain's best 100m runner following his emphatic victory at the trials on Saturday, so has the team just lost one of its best hopes of a gold medal?

Many say that Chambers is remorseful and has served his time, but that doesn't hide the fact he lied, cheated, defrauded and ultimately devalued the sport. He also denied his compatriots medals.

Others argue that in sports such as football, players like Jaap Stam, once of Manchester United, and Edgar Davids have returned from drug bans to win major trophies, so why should Chambers be prevented from competing at the Olympics?

What do you think? Vote now and leave your comments below.

Opinion Polls & Market Research

Comments

[Bob Evans]

The Olympics have sunk to lower and lower depths that the ideals and principles of Baron Pierre de Coubertin are no longer remembered, let alone respected. Today, the Olympics is naked greed over money, both from "promoters" and athletes. Too many "athletes" such as Crawford demonstrate they are ready to drug themselves and cheat others in order to achieve the status that will reward them with endorsements, prize money, and money to simply "appear".

The days of the true Olympic Spirit are over and done with. Best to abandon them now than let the principles of society be destroyed bit by bit by the likes of Chambers.

[George]

So glad Chambers appeal turned down. Personally speaking, having been a hard training athlete for over 30 years I would not race that guy in even a village green 100 metres race. Once you play the cheat card you have shown what you are and forfeited any rights to Olympics ( I would ban from all major competitions ). We have had a skinful of these drug cheats for last 20 years , ruining athletics for athletes and spectators alike, and we have to adopt a zero-tolerance approach. By the way Mr Chambers ...... athletics is not a "trade" ..... it was a pure clean sport before the likes of youself ruined it.

[Matthew Ffoooks]

Whether he has served his time or not is of no importance what is important is that www.timesonline.co.uk please take the picture of him off the newspaper as it affects my concentration whilst searching other articles. (I voted to let him run by the way as the rules currently show double standards both nationally and internationally)

[Alan Thornber]

I am so happy Chambers didnt win his case. He is a disgrace to British sports like any other drugs cheat. The fact of the matter is this by law banner competition from the olympics has been in place for 16yrs and so was up to him not to be so stupid. People argue we are one on few countries that do this, in my mind that means we are ahead of the curve. The olympics is the pinicle of athletics and drugs cheats tarnish its good name, just look at the Tour De France. Plus it hasnt stopped him competion at a professional level, just the olympics which they dont get paid for.

[John Lovell]

Several people have said that he has "served his time".
No he hasn't.
As far as I am aware, the sentence was a 2 year ban from competition, AND a lifetime ban from OLYMPIC Competition.
Case over.

[John Lovell]

Several people have said that he has "served his time".
No he hasn't.
As far as I am aware, the sentence was a 2 year ban from competition, AND a lifetime ban from OLYMPIC Competition.
Case over.

[mike snell]

As the Olympic Games are run under the auspices of the International Olympic Committee there should be just one set of rules for all participants, particularly in regard to drug offences, regardless of which country they represent. As always the British have their own set of rules, completely out of step with the rest of the world, and arrogantly consider that they are the only ones who know how to do anything. The result of this is an ever-increasing lack of competitiveness in just about every sphere.
I can understand the attitude of top British athletes who have reached the heights of success without the use of drugs. They feel that drug cheats demean their own efforts and successes. But with respect this isn't about them. Drug cheats should be caught and punished, but the punishment should be universal and not open to interpretation by individual governing bodies. While this situation persists there is always room for any country who values results above principle to apply the mandatory minimum punishment while secretly supporting the actions of the offender and giving him/her support which other nations' athletes don't receive.
I only ask for fairness in the treatment of offenders, and the only way this can be acheived is by setting one set of rules and punishments for everyone.

[Shocked]

The 100 Metres sprint is the most high profile event - however ALL the events should be treated equally. I was shocked to find out that growth stimulants actually provoke unnatural growth in the forehead - see the picture of Dwain or similar body builders which must be a very high price to pay regardless of the outcome. I think what is really important is the sad conundrum that all nations are aware of cheating required to be competitive, whilst needing to win at the same time for national prestige...
In a constant battle of new drugs versus new detection methods this is a problem that isn't going to go away. This completely ruins the Olympics and what it stands (stood) for. Obviously all the athletes know from an early age who does, who doesn't and it's sad to see that some/many competitors view drug enhancements as necessary in order to win. The only extreme solutions I can offer are to have athletes from all countries training together in total and utter isolation for 10 years with no intereference from the outside world (which is a little extreme) OR to have sophisticated internal blood analysers which test and record information about the state of an athlete's blood every second of the day in different parts of their bodies to ensure no unfair advantages are received. The analysers would need to be tamper proof...you may think this solution is shocking and extreme - it is - but then so is the problem...

[Athlete X]

As an athlete I totally agree with the court's decision on the Chambers case. At the end of the day, he knew the consequences of his actions and should pay the price.

What about the clean athletes who are tarnished by the brush of doping every time someone like Chambers is caught? I think the zero tolerance policy is totally correct.

As for restraint of trade etc. and the comment that his life is not in tatters, he's only banned from the Olympics. Although the Games are pinnacle of athletic competition, they are by no means the be all and end all. After all, Chambers is presumably on World Class funding, or a least will be now he has achieved the relevant performance criteria at GB trials.

If he carries on he will no doubt compete at the Worlds next year as well as at all the other meets, such as the Euros and world cups. If he performs he will back on UKSport funding.

However, in some ways I hope he does retire as he has brought the sport into disrepute and this court case surely highlights his lack of remorse? In many other walks of life gross misconduct results in a lifetime ban. Just look at doctors who can have their medical licencse revoked and barristers who cannot practice if they are convicted of any criminal offence or even become bankrupt.

[Marcus Green]

Can anyone remember who Dwaine beat when he was on performance enhancing drugs?

[Mike Latham]

I am one of the few that thinks that the decision to ban Dwain Chambers is wrong. If it is a fact that he has ceased taking drugs to enhance his performance. Maybe we should let him compete, purely as an encouragement and incentive to others that may be currently using drugs, to help them understand that if they too cease, there is not a life ban awaiting them but a way forwards.

[Lenny]

We need to be graceful in our comments and forgiven in our attitude. If we say we have never broken a law, never deceived or committed a selfish act, we deceive ourselves. Chambers is no different to the majority of us. Only those who have never lied, wronged anyone, broken a rule, have the right to judge this mans character. Mr Chambers must be forgiven and be given a second chance.
The BOA needs to review it's laws and make room for grace, forgiveness and mercy for athletes who are caught cheating and comply to a strict rehabilitation programme.

[Simon]

Why find him guilty of cheating, and give him a two year ban, only to stop him competing when he has done his time!
The punishment was a farce, what the sports committee meant was banned for life, but they didn't have the bottle to issue that ban!

Instead they ban him from competing in the Olympics not because of any drug enhanced performance, but because he has dared to put the effort in to remain one of the best sportsmen in this country.

So now who is cheating?
Now what is the message that is being given out?
We can ban you for two years, but if you don't slip away quietly we will make sure you don't compete at the highest levels again!

The sporting world must be so proud!

[Slabber]

The question of whether the BOA by-law is illegal hasn't been decided. The court decided that Chambers couldn't have an injunction in the meantime, because he'd left his claim to the last minute.

This is a stupid poll.

[Ben Morgan]

Yet again a demonstration of how poorly administered most UK sporting bodies are. Double standards and example setting will not help Britain win medals in Beijing... Dwayne Chambers has paid the price for his errors and ambitions, if he is now clean let him run! Perhaps he should retire and join Linford Christie as a coach for the 2012 hopefuls????? At least in that position he could help the BOA and return some of the trust, support and faith they have shown in him...

[Tom]

What hypocricy! The British 400 metres runner Christine Ohuruogo, who digracefully failed to take three straight mandatory drug tests, is allowed to participate in the Olympics, but not Dwain Chambers.

[Alex Palmer]

Very poor research question: Both a yes and no answer can be misinterpreted as the same when using the passive voice in this context. Dwain Chambers has been punished disproportionately according to his crime. He was destined never to receive a positive verdict simply because it would cause a precedent for further cases.If he's clean then let him run!

[tim egerton]

Chambers has shown breathtaking arogance and no shame for his crime in sport. In fact he should be banned from all competitions and not just the olympics!

[Richard]

If he had been allowed to join the team, the message received by younger athletes would be:
Go ahead, use drugs, and if you get caught, at worst you'll only miss one olympics.
Chambers knew the rules, nobody held a gun to his head. He'll continue to make money on the circuit so I for one don't feel the slightest sorrow for him.

[ricky]

You can see both sides of the argument.But again there are double standards.Why was Linford Christie allowed to compete in the olympics after he was found to have been cheating?Also he has been allowed to mentor athletes and be involved in the 2012 preperations.Whats good for 1 must be good for the other.A poor showing by the BOA it must be said.

[rick muller]

the all remaining sprinters are all rubbish, i wish the american and jamaican sprinters blow them away in early rounds...goodluck dwain

[K Heap]

Right decision! He knew the consequences of his actions should he have been caught, in fact he knew the substances that he was taking were meant to be untraceable. he was obviously willing to take the chance, no good crying now. He reaped the benefits of taking the drugs just look at his physique, which, incidently would still give him an unfair advantage, his luck ran out when he got caught!! makes you wonder though how many other athletes are taking banned substances that are currently 'untraceable'. the biggest shame is that some of the future young athletes looking to make it big will go down the Chambers route! All the sports governing bodies worldwide need a clear cut rule stating that drug cheats will not be allowed to compete EVER again. Its also a shame that some athletes going to the games have had a drugs ban for cheating but are allowed to compete because the laws governing that countrys sport allow them to do so after serving their ban!. So its understandable why he decided to fight for the chance to compete!!
However, still the right decision to not let him go in my opinion

[david palmer]

Dwain did wrong, most of us believe pretty mch all sports stars have at least at some point. He was caught served and sentence and has a very high profile attempt to come back. He has given us entertainment and is one of very few stars. He needs a come back and the sport needs him. The ethics of a return are far more complex, bt I for one feel the ban he served was reasonable a clear message and now want to see him race.

[Reg Tripp]

If the world of sport is serious about getting rid of drugs then a zero tolerance attitude must prevail. For far too many years drug cheats have been getting away with it and in effect stealing money from their competitors. All drug cheats should be treated like criminals and accused of theft and banned for life, and serve them right.
Sporting bodies worldwide must take a strong stance on this otherwise the problem will never go away.

[Jack]

A Agne and others, are you saying drug cheat medal prospects should be allowed to compete, and less talented drug cheats should be banned?
The by-law was in place when he cheated, open and shut case.

[shar]

why are a lot of you preaching 'no forgiveness' have none of you ever made a mistake? We should ALL give people a second chance but instead we are using him to make a point to the IOC that NOBODY else cares about

[bullschick]

He knew that by taking drugs that if he was caught (and on the whole they are eventually) that he would then under UK/BOA be banned from competing in the Olympics. How this can be a restraint of trade or being punished for the same offence twice is beyond me, it was something that he knew from the off would happen. I only wish more countries and sports took such a strict view on drugs.
The Olympics is the major achievement in athletics and by being told you risk not competing in that competition across the board (i.e. regardless of country) if you take drugs maybe will stop people turning to them.

[Paul Duff]

Justice absolutely. All drug-taking is of course unacceptable, but there are some differences. An endurance athlete taking EPO (cycling, track, tennis etc - eg the whole Operation Puerto sorry saga) will enjoy a performance improvement, but once caught and no longer taking EPO, their capacity to subsequently produce haemoglobin will be no greater than it was pre-doping. However, those taking steroids or human growth hormone have a permanently changed physique, with more muscle mass than would otherwise have been achievable - excellent for power sports like sprinting long after they've doped. Think Ben Johnson.
Everyone deserves a second chance - except those whose cheating has permanently improved their physique

[Jerry]

And who's to know if the drugs are not still having an influence on his body now, even though he stopped taking them some time ago. Of course it's the right decision, Banned for life. And prison for life when given. Otherwise the sentence is meaningless.

[Pedro F Santamaria]

Justice has been done. A cheat has got his just deserts. As such he should not be allowed to make money from sport ever again. He should not even be employed to clean the changing rooms. I am surprised at the cheek of going to court in the first place. Cheat! Cheat! Cheat! Out! Out! OUT!

[david]

Well said Keith Stafford and Steve - get off you high horses the rest of you. You'd think the man was a rapist or a murderer for pity's sake. Give us all a break and stop being so bloody ' British' about it.

[a agne]

I believe it was totally and completely wrong to ban Dwain Chambers from the Olympics

Firstly, he has admitted he was wrong, and served his punishment. Are we saying that anyone who has ever done something wrong cannot compete in sport? Surely one of the major benefits sport brings is to allow an individual to rehabilitate themselves.

There would surely be a number of Premiership footballers who we should therefore should ban for life for either commiting a crime, or cheating (for example diving.) However this does not seem to be a bar to a number of players to earn huge salaries.

Secondly, on a more pragmatic point, who is he cheating?
he has proved through the trials that he is best British sprinter when clean.

There has been a large number of cases of top sprinters caught taking drugs - Montogomery, Gatlin, Marion Jones etc. I can understand how a someone in their early twenties would be tempted to take performance enhancing drugs, not to get an unfair advantage, but to compete in a level playing field with the top echelon of sprinters.

It seems a very British attitude that we should ban an athlete like chambers who has a chance of a medal. There are a number of other similar cases from other countries where the athlete has served their ban and is being allowed to compete in the olympics.

Chambers has made a big mistake, and served his time, he should now be allowed to redeem himself rather than have his life destroyed. I could understand the uproar if his olympic place should have gone to another athlete who has a chance of a medal, but I think we will be lucky to get any British sprinters into the final never mind get a medal

[Pete Hancock]

If you are a professional teacher, doctor, lawyer and commit professional misconduct, you are chucked out of the profession, and will never work again.
Chambers served his 2 year ban, and is now free to compete everywhere but the olympics.
I find it amazing that someone who prevented others from being selected for previous olympics has the effrontery to bemoan the fact that he is now denied a similar opportunity. The decision is the right one.

[Fil]

Does the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act mean that a once criminal is always one ? No. Same applies to a once banned athelete. Is he presently the fastest 100m sprinter in the UK ? Yes. Will the UK and Chambers ultimately be denied a possible Gold medal ? Yes. Is this fair ? No. Q.E.D.

[Glynn]

For any athlete in the world who has aspirations of winning a gold medal at the Olympics, there are 6 key words that they should live by. These 6 simple words are more important than any rule, regulation or bylaw issued by any national or international body. The words can be found in the Olympic Oath for Athletes.

Quote "in the true spirit of sportsmanship".

Sadly there are people posting here that will never understand this.

Now that we have shown the rest of the world how we feel about cheats, can we drop the 'GB' rubbish and stand proud under the banner 'Great Britain'.

[Lassie]

The Law Courts could only make this decision. The WRONG party here undoubtedly is the BOA.
No wonder young offenders have lost all hope in this Country and are resorting to serious violence and unrest.
Can they relate an individual like Lord Coe, blessed with good advisors and a great education all through their career?
The BOA should WRITE THE GUIDANCE POLICY, TRAIN YOUNGSTERS< HELP THEM AVOID THESES PITFALLS. When this happened there was huge confusion and the penalties were not apparent and clear.
Then and only then can they say that did enough and anyone breaking those clear rules, with the benefit of help, and knowing the penalty, is banned for Life.
I truly hope young athletes find another country in their birth right to compete for, where help and clarity are available, rather than revenge and hatrid.

[Jon]

has to be the right decision to not let him compete, but i still don't think he was deserving of the public hatred and sanctimony of Lord Coe

[Andy]

The body Chambers has is the result of drugs he took all those years ago. He wouldn't be winning today if he hadn't cheated and took drugs.

It's not a matter of serving your time.....

[Jonathan Sklan-Willis]

Phil: Read the articles, yes he is. It's a lifetime ban that's been upheld.

I don't think Chambers should compete purely because he's so much better, hence no chance for the newbie's.

But, I don't think somebody should be punished for life once they've realized the error of their ways. If the world worked like that, rehabilitation of offenders would be useless.

[John Turner]

Undoubtedly the right decision. Restraint of trade? It's the Olympics! you compete for a medal not cash. Even if he did win what sponsors in their right mind would back a former drug cheat?

[Phil]

Nigel - he's not banned anymore though.

[Peter]

Of course this is the right decision i don't know why this has taken so long and wasted so much time. There is no place for cheats in any sport especially the Olympics

[DAVID PARCHMENT]

THANK GOD THE MESSAGE IS CLEAR,THE JUDGE WAS RIGHT! THAT SELFISH MAN WANTED TO BE AMONGE LAGITIMATE DRUG FREE SPORTSPERSONS.WHO DOES HE THINK HE IS? BACK TO YOUR "DARK CHAMBER"CHAMBERS! THERE IS NO "QUICK-FIX" AT THE END OF THIS LINE....,

[Douglas Johnstone]

Mr Chambers was a cheat, who deprived not only himself, but also his fellow team mates of glory.

Whilst it may seem harsh to some, the judge has made the right decision.

Rehabilation comes from walking the walk rather than just talking the talk and Profumo was a classic case of a man who did the former.

[peter]

Of course this is the correct decision. This guy knew exactly what he was doing and did it for gain and glory. He thought a few impressive recent performances would persuade the courts to look the other way but no way Hosay.So now he'll spit the dummy and retire...well that says it all.

[John]

Does anyone seriously believe that this cheat would have tried to get back on the Olymics team if his attempts to be a rugby or Americam footballer had been successful? If he genuinely wanted to present himself as a reformed character who only wanted to represent his country he would have started this process much earlier rather than resort to brinkmanship with the BOA.

[Nigel]

Yes it's the right decision. What is the bit about 'banned' he doesn't understand?

[Helen Dowd]

Thank God he has been refused - we don't want cheats on team GB. Goodbye and good riddance to Dwain Chambers. Hurray for Justice Mackay.

[MA Smith]

The judge in this case has made the correct judgement in my opinion. The byelaw was in place before Mr Chambers decided to take performance enhancing drugs. He took those drugs on the basis that he knew that the byelaw was in place, and if caught, he would be subject to the fullest extent of that byelaw. It is an utter disgrace that Mr Chambers had the nerve to challenge the law. Rules exist for a reason. Can you imagine a prospective police officer who has a tattto of a swastika on his hand applying to the High Court to relax the rule that people who have such tattoos cannot be police officers so as to allow him entry into the force? Society doesn't work like that. In essence, Dwain Chambers and the prospective police officer want society to fit around the wrongdoers, and in doing so they want to have their way against the greater good.

[Steve]

I find it deeply saddening that people are so unwilling to forgive Chambers and offer him a second chance.

Everyone knows what he did was terrible, and he himself has been remorseful; but now his life is in tatters, and we have one less decent athlete at the games. Nobody's really benefiting from this decision.

People will say that this decision sends out a clear message to potential cheats, and that Chambers is now an example - and that's all perfectly correct. But very few of us would be expected, or able, to cope with our entire vocation being destroyed because of a decision we made in our early 20s.

[Keith Stafford]

I still can't help feeling slightly uneasy about the legion of Olympians and sporting commentators who personalised the plight Dwain has found himself in. Their comments at Dwain were fuelled by their hate of drugs in sports, and that is understandable he was a drugs cheat afterall, but he had every right to fight for his chance to rehibilate himself on the biggest stage of sport. The IAAF and UKA both issued bans against him which he served, and he missed the Athens Olympics. The IOC new policy on drug cheats is that they miss one Olympic event and are allowed back after that. I think the BOA, should cut short its jubilation and begin the real fight against doping in sport by lobbying the IOC and IAAF so that there is a zero tolerance policy on doping athletes. Also for an anti-doping campaign to be started at grass root athletics clubs and events. Dwain and other previously suspened drugs cheats now being shuned by the BOA could be the very ones to help combat it. Then Dwain's sacrifice at the altar of Olympic ideals will not have been in vain.

[James Callaghan]

Of course justice has been done.
The Anabolic Steroid Games has no need of athletes who use performance enhancing drugs.

[john haydon rowe]

justice and common sense were always poor bed fellows, and so uk has second string sprinters because of it.
but hopefully there are world championships that might bring justice to chambers. i hope so.
by the bye are olympics prof or amateur. had thought it was meant to be amateur as per the football,but not the tennis.

[Doug Bates]

He's not remorseful, he's opportunistic and seeking the path of least resistance. If he felt remorse he would no longer be chasing glory and competing but would accept what he did was wrong and be trying to contribute in other ways, such as coaching.