Dwain's ready to fight on for 2012

Jul 20 2008

DRUG cheat Dwain Chambers last night vowed to run in the Olympics - in London in four years.

Chambers insisted he can still achieve his dream after he lost his court battle to be allowed to compete in next month's Games in Beijing.

The 30-year-old failed on Friday to persuade a High Court judge in London to scrap the British Olympic Association's lifetime ban on his participation.

Chambers spoke about his plans as sprint stars Craig Pickering and Tyrone Edgar sealed their place in Britain's 100 metres line-up alongside Simeon Williamson.

Both sprinters had been waiting anxiously since last Saturday's UK trials when Chambers won with Williamson in his slipstream.

Chambers, who tested positive for the steroid THG in 2003, was asked if a medal at London 2012 would be one of his goals.

He said: "Participation first and foremost is a key thing for me. And then if I get a medal out of it that'll be great.

Then I'll be done.

"I just want to compete and show what I really can do as a clean athlete.

"I'm obviously looking for a second chance. We all make mistakes and we're all kicked to the kerb because of it.

"But we all need to make mistakes in order to learn from them to make ourselves better individuals."

Williamson, the European Under-23 champion, was the only athlete announced in the first wave of selections last Monday.

Selectors deferred naming the other two until Chambers' court appearance.

Pickering admitted the tension of waiting drove him crazy.

He said: "This has been one of the strangest weeks ofmy life. I don't want another like it.

"I would have preferred a smoother ride as it has been like a rollercoaster.

"I was disappointed at the trials but was hopeful I would make the 100m team. Now I have a big smile on my face. The Olympics are the biggest sporting event in the world and I'm excited about going to Beijing."

Edgar was also thrilled and claimed the circus over Chambers' legal bid detracted from the performances of the 68-strong squad. He said: "I'm thankful the court case is over and grateful for the opportunity. I've been getting irritated by all the questions but now I just want to forget things and look forward to Beijing."

There was joy for Scots trio Andrew Lemoncello, Allan Scott and Susan Scott yesterday as they were added to the squad.

Lemoncello impressed the selectors with a personal best in the 3000m steeplechase at the AF Golden League meeting in Paris on Friday night.

Hurdler Scott has been picked for the 110m while namesake Susan grabbed third spot in the 1500m squad ahead of Hannah England. Other additions to team GB include world junior 1500m gold medallist Stephanie Twell.

The 18-year-old from England clinched her slot when running a lifetime best of four minutes 05.83seconds in Paris.

Martyn Bernard is added to the high jump squad, Rikki Fifton joins the 4x100m relay team and Channel Islander Dale Garland has made the 4x400m quartet.

Montell Douglas, who smashed the women's UK 100m record with 11.05sec at Loughborough on Thursday, has been picked for that distance along with Laura Turner. World junior 100m silver medallist Ashlee Nelson is in the 4x100m relay squad and will join her brother Alex, already picked for the 200m.

Jenny Meadows, who ran a personal best in Paris, and Jemma Simpson are late 800m choices.

FormerUK3000m steeplechase record holder Hatti Dean gains her vest despite missing the trials through injurywith Sarah Claxton the 100m hurdles representative.

Zoe Derham is picked for the hammer andVicki Barr, alongside the experienced Donna Fraser, is in the 4x400m relay team.