Not much doubt that Dwain Chambers is the fastest human being in Britain. He did what everyone expected him to do tonight. He was in the first two in the Olympic Trials held in Birmingham. He won in 10.00 seconds, after a poor start. He will now have to be chosen to represent the UK if his legal bid for an injunction against the British Olympic Association's ban on his participation in Beijing next month is successful. Now, I don't know what to think about this - but I don't like it.
Dwain Chambers cheated. He was a drugs cheat. In my opinion, the rules should be clear. If an athlete cheats, it should be the end of selection for the British team, full stop. But these aren't the rules. Chambers has done his time and qualifies to run in all championships except the Olympics. Where's the sense in that? Either you're banned or you're not. We will find out what the High Court thinks of this next Wednesday. Athletics is in a mess.
The really maddening aspect of this is that Dwain Chambers is a fabulous athlete, who had no need of drugs. Even at the age of 30, with an intermittent career behind him, he still shows a clean pair of heels to every other Brit. And even if he were to win an Olympic medal, he would still not win a place in the hearts of the watching public.
11 comments:
"In my opinion, the rules should be clear. If an athlete cheats, it should be the end of selection for the British team, full stop."
What about applying 'the rules' to politicians who are supposed to be serving the public interest.
If politicians do illegal drugs, should it be the end for them? "Full stop"?
Their political careers over?
anon - Political careers are a matter for the voters, which is why a free press is so important. If politicians have acted illegally, voters should be told, and then they can make up their minds.
have you seen this Glyn, Lembit has been dumped by his Cheeky Girl
http://www.newsoftheworld.co.uk/1307_opik.shtml
Have you ever taken illegal drugs Glyn?
One wonders what exactly the Cheeky Girl will tell about the MP for Montgomeryshire........
Anon - I don't think its a big deal if someone was involved in illegal drug taking before they became involved in politics. Normally I don't answer questions like this, but I did answer this one a few years ago so I may as well repeat that I have never taken illegal drugs of any sort. I do think if an active politician, including a candidate, was found to have taken an illegal drug, I would never vote for them.
Welsh Lobbyist and anon 2 - I think we need this to be confirmed before accepting that its more than a 'lovers tiff'. If the engagement is really off, then there will be two hurt people, and I'm sorry about that.
Oh come on Glyn, two hurt people or two people who have used one another mercilessly for publicity. Stop being so self-virtuous. We all know the score with these two. She's simply decided that he's a liability - even for a Cheeky Girl. And you have after all pointed out that this was his third engagement. He becomes more and more of a laughing stock as the months go by. But at the moment, you seem to be the only one dignifying their publicity stunt by claiming it was a real relationship. Just wait for the blow by blow account she'll now come out with. Just you see......
anon - I just think it would be wise to wait a while and see what has happened. I'm not one to dance on other people's personal misfortunes. And if its a genuine parting of the ways, it will be inevitable painful for at least one of them, probably both. After all they were engaged to be marriesd and only last week I was reading about the possible 'patter of tiny feet' as Miss Broxton used to say. I knew Sam, and Sian, his first two fiances, and liked them both. I hadn't met Gabriela, so I cannot comment.
All sports are a mess and international sports are in a class of their own.They are subject to:
a.Their own rules
b.the law of the athlete's homeland
c.the law of the land where the event takes place
d.the law of the land where that sport's governing body is situate
e.the sport court in Geneva(a French name I cannot remember).
Is it any wonder there are always problems?Look at cricket a fortnight ago.The result of that Oval test between England and Pakistan has been altered years later.The rules of cricket were and are clear.The result cannot be altered.Doesn't matter.
Also, one wonders at how he can do his job properly. Dashing down to Rye, doing newspaper reviews and insisting on bleating on and on about that Cheeky Girl (see today's Telegraph ) and, of course, when they were together doing an endless rounds of photo shoots and TV programmes. Surely people in Mid Wales must be questioning his apptitude to represent them?? I know they are everywhere else......
penlan - and today Glamorgan are re-instated at the expence of Notts. There'll be some disgruntlement about that.
anon - You're right in that its a matter for the voters.
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