Dwain Chambers: Not All Bad

Dwain Chambers: Not All Bad

Edward Ovadia

Email: edwardovadia [at] gmail.com

This may sound controversial and sensationalist, but I'm a big fan of Dwain Chambers right now. Not the whole drugs taking thing, don't get me wrong; but his attitude since his comeback. He's had every obstacle thrown into his path, and he could be bitter at how difficult it has been for someone who wants to have a crack at it cleanly. But he's not. He takes jabs from the media with a sense of humour. And he's had the guts to expose what a lot of other athletes, some assume, are doing; but none are talking about.

He's running faster than ever before, evidenced by his recent 6.42 indoor 60m, and European Champs win. Let's put that into perspective. Usain Bolt went through 60m in his Beijing 100m win in 6.485 seconds. And sprinters hit their top speed after 50-60m, so there's no advantage in comparing a 60m race to a 100m race. The IAAF tables equate a 6.42 for 60m to a 9.89/9.90 for 100m. So Chambers is running fast, there's no doubt about that.

But yes, he's a former drug cheat. He's been banned. He's been barred from the Olympics forever. He's hated within the sport, and especially within British teams. He's not allowed on relay teams. Most international meets won't have him.

That's a tough rap. It would normally be enough to intimidate and defeat even the most determined. But not Chambers. He's happy just to run fast, wherever he can. And what's more, he's talking of attacking Bolt - something which seems tantamount to sacrilege after last year's Olympics. But he's talking the talk, and after seeing his indoor times, he's apparently walking the walk. Bolt may be having a slower start to the season, after doing the promotional circuit post-Olympics, but there's no doubt Chambers has been training something serious.

But what I like best is his attitude. For example: he's dominating at the Euro Indoor Champs, and in the post race interview (so immediate, he's still puffing), instead of being asked about his performance, he's asked about his tell-all book, which may land him on more hot water with the IAAF for bringing the sport into disrepute. And what's more, they push the issue. Most people would get pretty annoyed at that point, seeing as Chambers' Euro title, and third fastest performance of all time, are being ignored. But not Chambers - he laughs it off, and has a joke about it. Even though the interviewer must have hit a nerve - that Chambers really just can't catch a break (since being a dirty cheater, of course - that goes without saying).

But does he deserve all he gets? That's a fair point. And may be right. But I think there's more to it that that. It's hard to condemn completely when you don't know what everyone else is doing. Chambers may be aware of something that we aren't - namely that all big name sprinters are doping, and he's just keeping up. Let's hope not. But he's done his time, so to speak, and as long as he's back cleanly, then I think the past should be forgotten. Then there's the argument that drug use affects the body in long term, performance enhancing ways; which means that Chambers may still be reaping the benefits of his drug regime, even after years of being clean. But until that's accepted by the sport - which would necessitate a lifetime ban for all drug cheats - there's not much use laboring that point. Chambers has the right to compete again, and so he should be allowed to. Without having to fight at every turn. But when you do have to fight every battle, it's inspiring to see the man still smiling and taking it in his stride, and running fast while doing it.