• London Olympics 2012

Outrage as BOA looks set to lose Chambers battle

ESPN staff
April 20, 2012
Dwain Chambers awaits his Olympic fate © Getty Images
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Amid reports that Dwain Chambers is set to be given the all-clear to compete at London 2012, former Olympic champion Daley Thompson claims such a court ruling could be hugely damaging to the sport.

Reports on Friday claimed that the British Olympic Association has lost its battle to retain the right to hand lifetime bans to convicted drugs cheats.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport's ruling is expected next week and should it find the BOA bylaw to be 'non-compliant' with World Anti-Doping Code, Chambers, who tested positive for anabolic steroid THG in 2004, will be eligible to compete in this summer's Games.

But Thompson, who won decathlon gold at the 1980 and 1984 Olympics, believes allowing Chambers to compete sets a dangerous precedent.

"I will be saddened to see Dwain Chambers at the Olympic Games," Thompson said in the Daily Mail. "Not just for myself, but because it presents the worst possible message to every youngster watching: namely, that drug-taking is a worthwhile risk to take.

"For me, sport, even more then general life, should be Utopian. And cheating by taking drugs is the most heinous crime imaginable. It just shouldn't be like this. Sport should set the highest standards, not just performance-wise from the athletes but from the administrators."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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