Sport Industry Group

High Court delays decision on Chambers- 15 Jul 2008 08:40:00

The High Court decision to determine whether sprinter Dwain Chambers can compete in the Beijing Olympics has been moved to Thursday.

Chambers’ case against the British Olympic Association, where he is bidding to overturn a bylaw which bans him from competing due to his failed drugs test over two years ago, has been switched at the BOA's request from Wednesday so its chairman Lord Moynihan can be present.

Chambers, whose lawyers have agreed to the request, expects to receive an injunction against his lifetime ban.

The 30-year old clocked 10.00 seconds to win the British trials in Birmingham on Saturday, Simeon Williamson finishing second in a lifetime best of 10.03 and Craig Pickering third in 10.19.

Great Britain's selectors have delayed naming their full 100m line-up until after Chambers' High Court ruling.

Chambers, who plans to attend court on Thursday according to his lawyer Nick Collins, is seeking an injunction to compete in Beijing, with a full hearing and challenge against the BOA's by-law expected to be heard next March.

Under their own selection policy, the BOA is bound to pick the athletes who finish first and second at the trials if they have the Olympic qualifying standard.

The decision of Chambers to challenge his Olympic ban has not gone down well in some circles with a number of GB athletes signing a petition supporting the BOA’s stance.