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The state of UK Athletics
Dwain Chambers was found guilty of using performance enhancing substances and was given a two year ban from athletic competition. Having now served his ban, he’s re-entered competition (his American football career having failed due to a change in the NFA) and has been selected for the World Indoor Championships.
There has been much said about this; people like Seb Coe and Kelly Holmes saying that he should not be allowed to compete, others like John Regis saying that he’s done his time, whilst UK Athletics themselves have stated that they’ve reluctantly allowed him back into the team.
But why all this controversy? He was given a two-year ban. He served that ban. He’s now back in competition, he’s not testing positive for any banned substances and has professed that he is clean and regrets what happened. So why shouldn’t he come back? The attitude of UK Athletics is what stinks though; they’ve basically said they were forced to take him back. Sorry, but he met all the criteria for selection - open and shut case.
My message to the selectors is this: if you don’t want people competing after being banned, then ban them for life so that they have no hope of rehabilitation or any chance to redeem themselves. If you’re not going to ban them for life, but you don’t want to be in a position where you might have to select them for the team, then change your selection criteria. Until that time, Dwain Chambers is one of the best athletes this country has ever produced and is one of our best hopes for medals.
Comments
One Response to “The state of UK Athletics”
I think you know what to do....
Wolfs Stuff
Wolfs Helpers
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I totally agree with you Wolfie.
The guy has served his sentence, he’s done his time.
He knows that he has done wrong and that is good to see. Rather than someone who protests their innocence even after their ban.
He’s clean now so give the guy a break.