Dwain Chambers debate: do you want to see the drugs cheat in a British vest in Beijing?

Following his emphatic victory at the Olympic trials on Saturday, no one can be left in any doubt that Dwain Chambers is Great Britain's best 100m runner.

But it will be left to the High Court on Friday to decide whether he can compete at the Olympic Games in Beijing as he bids to overturn the British Olympic Association's by-law that prevents him from competing.

But do you want to see a convicted drug cheat wearing the British vest in Beijing?

Many say that Chambers is remorseful, and has served his time but surely 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 other 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?

Tell us what you think. Does Chambers deserve a second chance or do you think the High Court should uphold the BOA's ban. Don't forget to leave your comments below.

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Comments

[Gillian Hill]

Should we be even considerletting a confessed cheat represent this country just because he might win a medal? It is bad enough when we find out that someone has cheated without our knowledge, but to let him represent us when we DO know is utterly abhorrent.

[Vic]

No he should stay banned. He knew the rules when he was breaking them without a second thought and as an adult he should be mature enough to live with the consequences of his actions.

[peter robinson]

The nonsense that he should be considered is beyond belief.Cheat and you're out...Which of those words does he not uhderstand.The Tour de France is a farce and our athletic team would become one if he is allowed to take part.

[James]

To anyone claiming that he has 'served his time'; that's just not true. He has served one part of his ban, and is now trying to get out of the second part. This is not a new rule, and he knew he would not be eligible for the Olympics if caught. His apparent remorse has only appeared since he failed at both American football and rugby league.
The argument that other countries allow drug cheats to compete is a poor one. Should be really drop our rules to the lowest level, or should we push for harsher punishments worldwide?

[Mike Hartley]

If a drugs cheat can earn the highest accolade in sport then surely there is something wrong?

My view is that if they use drugs - they should be banned for life... completely. They shouldn't be allowed to act as a professional trainer or coach and they certainly should never be allowed to compete again.

What sort of example does it set? Cheat, but if you get caught don't worry because you'll get a light sentence (2 years - pah!) and then can still be treated better than those who have toiled without cheating.

[Kenneth Wheatley]

All cheats, regardless of their sport should be banned for life. Only when real discipline is introduced will cheating decline or maybe disppear.

[Jon Miller]

How many people who are commenting on this actually have their own opinion? Chambers came back two years ago and done better than any other British sprinter. He was then shunned from the top tier of the circuit, because of the press and all the Muppets who shout "it's wrong" without having any real knowledge of the subject. And not because of the morals of the tour organisers, he is the best sprinter we have.

I hope he races, yes he cheated and I was gutted when I found out but in his defence, everyone else was cheating so he had little choice if he wanted to win (this may not be the course of action I or any of you would take but they live in a controlled world where winning is everything).he is now running clean (no performance enhancing substances) and is performing well. I wonder how many of the top sprinters are out there legally. As with Chambers doping incident there are substances that cannot be traced at this time.

[H Easter]

All drugs are not the same. If you use a stimulant that leaves your body after a day at most you're back to your usual self quickly. If you use anabolic agents you've still got that ill-gotten extra muscle mass years later and its still giving you an advantage.

[Glynn]

Black armband !!!

Often worn in a show of respect for someone who recently died. If Dwain Chambers walks out onto the track in Beijing, I sincerely hope that those in the stadium who believe in honesty, integrity and self respect, will wear a black armband.

I would like to congratulate Dwain on his recent performance and I hope it gives him some satisfaction. But for me, the result will always be tainted. He of all people should know what a sports person has to go through in their quest for glory. Many of you reading this will have no idea and therefore will not fully understand the implications of having your dreams shattered by the actions of a selfish cheat.

Children are our future and we must do all we can to help them grow up with understanding of honesty, integrity and self respect. We need roll models to help in this task. If Dwain believes he is now a changed man and is prepared to stand for honesty, integrity and respect, let us see if he has the ability to make a sacrifice equal to all those athletes he has cheated in the past. Dwain go to Beijing if you want but DO NOT run.

I hope it does not come to it, but to all those going to Beijing have a good time, be safe and have a black armband ready just in case.

[Patch]

Anyone who thinks Dwain Chambers should be alloowed to run clearly doesn't have a clue about being an athlete. CLEAN athletes put in years of sacrifice pushing their bodies to the absolute limit in order to achieve that ultimate accolade, the olympics. For the olympic place that should go to an athlete who has got this far the right way to be given to a self-confessed drug-cheat, words cannot describe how utterly unfair that is on the clean athlete.

[charles maclean]

Had he the face of advertisers dreams would he get the same press treatment? Go on Britania, waive the prejudice rules.

[paulc]

I'd like to see the rest of the team publicly shun him if he gets to wear the shirt. He's an absolute disgrace to the colours. He knew the rules... and he still thinks they don't apply.

[John]

Some people have said that Chambers should go because he's "the best" we have. "The best" what? Cheat? Liar? Thief? Before you bestowe your compassion on him surely it should go first to all the athletes he has cheated out of funding for their own training.

[Liam]

Why not? The americans are sending their's to Beijing in force! Go Dwain!

[Gavin Hall]

People keep talking about rules, and the rules said he should get a two year ban, and then he can run again. He has done his two years, and now he should be able to run. He cheated, got caught, got punished. We can try and take the moral high ground about this, but what about forgiveness...? I reckon he should run. and if he does, i'll be cheering for him.

[Ruth]

I posed this question on another forum and 80% agreed with me that he should not be allowed to tarnish our other athletes' reputations. One respondent suggested that he should stay home and take up knitting! Could be useful - if he learns how to 'turn a heel' then perhaps the MOD will have a job for him!

The thing is was young and made a mistake and now holds his hands up for that. Point is he wont win a medal in Beijing but if he feels that going will make up in some part for his past failures and if that is how he feels. Let the lad go. As previous posters have said he might prove that it can actually be done clean.

[Phil J Noonan]

I cant help but wonder why the people championing the cause of this athlete are so keen to have him represent Britain at the Olympics?
They talk about second chances...about hue and cry for retribution, yet seem to avoid dealing with the blindingly obvious.
The man is a proven cheat.
So, lets say, for fantasy sake, he goes, he performs remarkably well, maybe wins a medal, maybe even a gold.
What then?
Cheer? Sneer? or most likely...doubt.
I`m no fresh faced greenhorn sports fan, I`m well aware that numerous "heroic" achievements in Olympic History have been fuelled by drug enhancement. Eastern Bloc Gymnasts with the body of a child... Swimmers with body frames like Pro Wrestlers... runners who look like a chiselled marble greek god.
Do we now, in historical retrospect remember these wins fondly and with admiration?
No, we remember them as cheats who got caught, and more heinously, cheats who got away with it.
As a "sports" fan... for me, the excitement is the occasion, the race, the Citius altius Forteus.. its the occasion and the spectacle.
If Chambers wins anything, he will be remembered in all the history books as the guy who once cheated.
if he fails, he will be remembered the same way.
Here`s a novel idea... why do we not, instead, try not to "remember" him at all?
Ignore him, forget him, enjoy the occasion, cheer the athletes who have NOT cheated and set a stiff stern example to countries with far less moral scruples than us.
China..I`m looking specifically at YOU!

[David Tomkinson]

I wonder whether all of those opposed to Duane's reinstatement have themselves led a perfect life? Driving under the influence of drink or drugs is a far more serious offence than that of Duane since it can cause death or serious injury. Random testing is not allowed and offenders only get found out after they commit an offence, and then only get a 1 or 2 year driving ban. Why do those who are found to be over the limit not get a lifetime ban? They should do, but until they do it is nonsensical to prevent Duane from competing after he has suffered a two year ban (a very substantial part of an athlete's active career).

[David Tomkinson]

I wonder whether all of those opposed to Duane's reinstatement have themselves led a perfect life? Driving under the influence of drink or drugs is a far more serious offence than that of Duane since it can cause death or serious injury. Random testing is not allowed and offenders only get found out after they commit an offence, and then only get a 1 or 2 year driving ban. Why do those who are found to be over the limit not get a lifetime ban? They should do, but until they do it is nonsensical to prevent Duane from competing after he has suffered a two year ban (a very substantial part of an athlete's active career).

[Claire]

Absolutely no way. Chambers may claim he's served his punishment and deserves a second chance; But what about a second chance for all those athletes he competed against & denied better results? They can't ever get that back, and it's all because of him.

[Desmond]

This is not a legal question; neither is it specifically about Chamber's. It is about whether we as Nation want a proven drug cheat to represent us at the Olympics.
If Chamber's is allowed to compete, it would disgrace our Nation, Flag, and indicate just how morally corrupt we have become.
I may be cynical, but I believe this debate is more about ethnic origin, than about Chamber's limited abilities as an athlete!

[brokenhomes.co.uk]

This situation would never have happened if he wasnt so good. Or the rest of the british team was so bad.

We should let him go, he is the only athlete who could come close to the Americans and Jamacians.

Whilst Dwain has been banned, what has the rest of the british sprinting team been doing?

[John MacDonald]

The hypocritical self righteousness of the press and public is nauseating.

Everybody wants justice (read retribution) except when it is they who have been caught in any form of law breaking or cheating. I pray they never have to be judged by their own standards...

Yes Chambers cheated - he owned up and was punished. Whatever happened to the second chance that everyone is supposedly entitled to?

Or is that only for yourselves while others should be eternally punished?

[Elizabeth Bristow]

Sport is about training hard and trying your hardest. What happened to "its not the winning its the taking part"? Are we now saying its about who can take the best drugs? Should the most important person to an athelete be their trainer or their pharmasist? We do not know what the long term affects on the health of atheletes who take drug are. Once an athelete has taken performance enhancing drugs they should be banned from competing at all levels we should have zero tollerance. I am proud of anyone who competes and trains hard. Taking a pill or injection its just plain simple cheating.