UKA to 'close door' on Chambers

UK chiefs could prevent Chambers running for Britain again

UK Athletics is ready to stop disgraced sprinter Dwain Chambers's plans to make a competitive comeback.

Chambers, who served a two-year ban for drug offences, is targeting a second return to athletics after his American football career in Europe folded.

But UK chiefs are considering changing their selection policy to prevent Chambers from returning to the squad.

A UKA source told the BBC: "We're ready to close the door and stand behind it to stop Chambers forcing it open."

Chambers tested positive for the steroid THG in 2003 but after completing his two-year suspension he was recalled to the British side.

In the summer of 2006, the Londoner finished seventh in the individual 100m at the European Championships before winning 4x100m relay gold.

After those performances, UK Athletics performance director Dave Collins insisted he would pick Chambers in the future, despite the sprinter's decision to switch to American football.

606: DEBATE British sprinting needs no controversy, nor do they need him as a team member DR

However, Chambers's plans for a second comeback on the track have not been so well received by UKA one year on.

The Londoner is targeting a place in Great Britain's squad for the world indoor championships in Valencia in March.

Chambers contests the 60m at the South of England Indoor Championships this weekend, seeking eligibility for the World trials in February.

Should he win the trials in 6.65 seconds or less, then UKA are bound to pick Chambers under the rules of their selection policy.

However, in an attempt to deter Chambers, the sport's national governing body could amend that policy so that any athlete disqualified from the Olympic Games, because of drug offences, can no longer represent Great Britain at any level.

There is a different atmosphere around the sport now and he's going to find it very difficult to get back in BBC 5 Live athletics correspondent Mike Costello

The 29-year-old cannot legally be banned from running on the athletics circuit as that would be viewed as a restraint of trade.

UKA is also understood to be unhappy because Chambers is no longer registered on UK Sport's drug-testing list following his switch to American football.

The sport has been blighted by more drug scandals since Chambers's return in 2006 with Marion Jones jailed for lying about steroid abuse, Olympic champion Justin Gatlin banned for four years and Britain's Christine Ohuruogu completing a ban for missing three out-of-competition drugs test.

BBC 5 Live athletics correspondent Mike Costello said: "The scene has shifted since he returned from drugs suspension in 2005 when there were a fair amount of support for his return.

"Since then we've had Jones, Gatlin, and the Ohuruogu scandal and UK Athletics has come under new leadership.

"There is a different atmosphere around the sport now and he's going to find it very difficult to get back in."