Dwain Chambers fails in Olympic bid

(BEIJING, July 19) -- British sprinter Dwain Chambers fails in the High Court to gain a place at the Beijing Olympics next month. The High Court judge refused to give Chambers an injunction which could overturn his lifetime ban from Olympics.

Chambers, a talented sprinter who won the 100-meter at the 2008 British Olympic athletics trials in Birmingham with a time of 10 seconds, had received a two-year worldwide ban for taking performance enhancing drugs in 2004. In addition, he was suspended from the Olympics for life.

Chambers' worldwide ban expired in November 7, 2005, However, according to the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), he had to take three mandatory tests before taking part in competitions. Chambers finished his drug tests only at the beginning of 2008, and the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) determined he was eligible to run. The British sprinter won a silver medal in the World Indoor Championships on March, and achieved the Olympic "A" qualifying standard in Biberach, Germany on June.

On the morning of July 18th, the High Court judge listened to conflicting arguments over the athlete's attempt to win an injunction and announced the final decision not allowing Chambers to take part in the Olympics as a member of the British squad.

British Olympic Association (BOA) chairman Colin Moynihan was quoted on the BOA official website saying nobody found guilty of serious drug cheating offenses should have the honor of wearing a Team GB vest at the Olympic Games.

Hopes dashed, Chambers can still attend the Beijing Olympics-as an audience member sitting far from the track.