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Siza Agha

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Why the Public Should Support Dwain Chambers

Posted: 11/03/2012 23:00

The morning after the night before. I sit here on my hotel balcony in Istanbul, gazing at the horizon meeting the sea, wondering what will unfold over the next few weeks as Dwain's running career and entire future will be determined, not by championships, titles and medals, but off the track by a distinguished panel of world arbitrator's view of a British sporting authorities vigorous defence of a bye-law in a court room somewhere in London, commencing today.

I sit reflecting, almost with a degree of jealousy, on how there has been a complete contrast in the treatment of Dwain to other athletes around the world that could not have been underscored more as Justin Gatlin took the title in the World Indoor Championship 60 meters, Dwain achieving the bronze.

The American press celebrated his achievement with glowing patriotism attached to every journalistic syllable, the US Athletics Federation fully and actively support him, he has corporate backing, he competed in the Diamond League several times last year and has been almost fully integrated back into the sport following a return from a four year ban, two years ago.

In not one American publication this morning do I see the phrase "drugs cheat" ascribed to Justin Gatlin. It is plain that the American view, which I firmly share, is that he has served his penalty, done his time and he should be permitted to move on, to re-establish his life and athletics career.

In complete polar contrast, Dwain returned from a two year ban seven years ago. He admitted his guilt, he assisted the authorities, but he does not have the support of his own Federation UKA and indeed the BOA. The only time he gets to compete in front of the British public is at the trials for major championships, he is not invited to the Grand Prix meetings in the UK by his own Federation (and consequently other Grand Prix's), he has to prepare for Major Championships away from the premium events and the phrase "drugs cheat" still punctuates press reports, despite the unhappy chapter happening the best part of a decade ago.

It is beyond any argument that Dwain Chambers has achieved his standing as a world class sprinter despite opposition and obstacles thrown in his path at every given moment by the very people in charge of his sport in the United Kingdom. The post race interviews last night demonstrated again that despite his burdens, he conducts himself with a degree of humility and dignity of world, ambassadorial and Olympic Champion proportions.

Perhaps the most hurtful and insulting comment I have read for a long time was from a British journalist who wrote that "Chambers failed to defend..."

In the light of the above I am astonished that a member of the British press regards a bronze medal in a World Championship, the top European placing, ahead of champions from several countries (including the US athlete with the worlds leading time this year) as a "failure" as opposed to an "incredible achievement against all the odds".

Again in contrast the Turkish athlete who yesterday "achieved" a bronze in the women's 1500, is a national hero, got a standing ovation during and after the race from the public and swooned over, quite rightly, in the press this morning. I ask rhetorically is Great Britain such a world force in athletics that we regard a bronze medal as failure in one of the most premium and most competitive events? Or could it be the obsession of some journalist's desire to put a negative gloss on anything they write about Dwain Chambers?

If it is the latter then that particular journalist may have missed last Thursday's television production showing the sort of work that Dwain has been doing for over two years in schools, academies, colleges and other platforms all over the UK and Europe. It will have been seen first hand and perhaps for the first time the way Dwain reaches out, influences and inspires children and young adults through his incredible and compelling story. I am filled to the brim with disappointment at the way those in authority and indeed certain members of the press do not see the message of redemption and positivity that Dwain now represents. In my view they are doing a disservice to Dwain, the country, the public and indeed sport in general.

Having had a unique insight into Dwain and his situation, I honestly believe that we have not seen the best of Dwain Chambers. At present it's a bit like Andy Murray preparing to meet the top three players in a grand slam championship doing satellite tournaments. If that were the level of his preparation then one would excuse him if an occasion got to him and he were to double fault at a crucial point in the game. In order to get the best out of an athlete, they need to compete against the best on a regular basis. Dwain is denied that opportunity and we will only see the best of him if he is placed on a level playing field, rather than the disadvantaged position in which he finds himself.

If this strikes a chord with you, please respond to this blog and voice your support for Dwain. All he really wants to do is to proudly wear a British vest, in his home town, in his own county this summer. If that happens, then in view of my knowledge of the journey that he has had to travel, there will be no-one prouder than I of the achievement of simply being on the start line, irrespective of what happens thereafter.

 
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The morning after the night before. I sit here on my hotel balcony in Istanbul, gazing at the horizon meeting the sea, wondering what will unfold over the next few weeks as Dwain's running career and ...
The morning after the night before. I sit here on my hotel balcony in Istanbul, gazing at the horizon meeting the sea, wondering what will unfold over the next few weeks as Dwain's running career and ...
 
 
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10:25 on 01/05/2012
why should we care about what other countries consider as " fair".
Mr. Chambers cheated and was caught.
He will now be able to collect huge sums of appearance moneies and no doubt Mr.Agha will accept his fees. He is undoubtably the best 100 metre man we have at present but what an example to other clean athletes.
What is totally unacceptable is Mr.Agha playing the race card, knowing this pressures to authorities to bend over backwards.
11:11 on 21/04/2012
Dwain has been allowed back into the sport. Its fair that the ultimate prize should be witheld from anyone who went down the road to cheat other athletes out of their medals. 90% of athletes voted that anyone found cheating should not be allowed to compete in the Olympics therefore their wishes should be listened to by all governing bodies. The other option is that anyone who has served a ban should do the honourable thing and decline the offer to compete.
13:24 on 29/03/2012
I totally agree with this article.
18:01 on 14/03/2012
I'm Backing Dwain, and i used to be his vindicator, i think he's now a great role model having seen so many of his inverviews over the past few years, he's obviously clean and getting tested regularly or he wouldnt be going through all this. #backdwain
23:11 on 13/03/2012
I believe a lot of people are missing the point. Yes, Chambers cheated and deserved to be punished. The issue though is how that punishment should be served. Why should GB be the only country from over 160 who have agreed to abide by an international agreement formulated by the World Anti-Doping Agency yet are effectively ignoring the rules they've signed up to by enforcing this ban? The mechanisms are there to influence the development of WADA rules but fairness and proportionality must be taken into account.

In the past when the Olympic games were the domain of amateurs I think a lifetime ban for these offences could be valid, proportionate, and enforceable. Nowadays, when talking about someone's livelihood, I think that's a different issue. Of course you must consider athletes whose livelihood has been affected by their colleagues cheating but I suspect there are few athletes who are negatively affected over the long term. Unfortunately though the Chambers case is one where his team-mates in the relay races have been badly affected.

Overall I think that the ban should be lifted and, in fact, I've thought that since before the 2008 Olympics. The GB Authority, if they feel that strongly, need to ensure they take a stand through valid, official channels by influencing WADA policy. If they were in such disagreement with WADA in the first place then why sign up to their rules?

Finally, no offence Siza, but it should be "Grands Prix" not "Grand Prix's".
22:45 on 12/03/2012
Siza - you are absolutely right about Chambers being continually labelled as a "drugs cheat" - Radio 5 Live did it only today. And yet they were also interviewing Lord Archer today - but at no time was he described as "convicted perjurer Lord Archer".

Double standard, I think.
20:03 on 12/03/2012
totally agree with Siza. Dwain has served the punishment handed to him and thus should be allowed to return to the sport as a normal runner. He now has a cloud hanging over him which prohibits Dwain and the sport from developing until it can be removed
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13:47 on 12/03/2012
Rubbish if he is allowed you might as well throw in the towel ref cheating . i train sportswomen who represent G.B and no one I know wants to see a relaxation of our stance
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Seaniebhoy
12:30 on 12/03/2012
The drugs ban should be upheld...Chambers seems like a nice enough bloke, but at the same time how many other athletes in the UK train year round for years on end, only to miss out on the olympics becase of a "drugs cheat". Chambers is not some victim who ate a tainted hamburger, he actively took steroids in order to win.
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AlanDente
Noses: made to hold glasses
11:57 on 12/03/2012
I for one am pretty sick of the way in which certain ex-sportsmen and ex-sportswomen (you know who I'm talking about) have been the judge, jury and executioner in the Chambers case.

And while it is true that he has been through official channels in his appeals etc., the tone of the debate has been constantly set by these self-important individuals, and I think actually that they have had an undue influence over the discussions surrounding the lifetime Olympic ban.

They should lift the Olympic ban, which is unfair and discriminatory, and these individuals should get on with their jobs as pundits and commentators instead of interfering in legal matters.

In how many other spheres of work could an error of judgement, detected, admitted and punished, continue to result in vastly-diminished work prospects almost 10 years later? It's discrimination, and has no real legal basis (as we are seeing from the courts). Someone who has been punished for an offence should be able to rebuild their life afterwards, particularly if they have shown remorse for the crime.

What a joke.
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Tara Thomas
... Say hello to my puggie: Goldie, everyone!
12:36 on 12/03/2012
Well said.
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uksnapper
10:50 on 12/03/2012
A conundrum and on a personal level one feels that yes,he should have a second chance BUT that is like saying yes to every other competitor,Its not OK to take drugs but if you are caught you will be allowed back after a slap on the wrist.
That is the wrong message.
Take drugs and you are banned,forever.
There is no halfway measure,the line has been drawn the notification given.
10:18 on 12/03/2012
It may be unfair that other countries allow a return to athletics for a cheat, but a cheat is a cheat and he reaps what he sow's
00:54 on 12/03/2012
I certainly agree that the vilification should stop. There is of course a good argument why he ought not to be allowed to compete, and that is that the advantage he gained from the doping is permanent.

It does seem unfair that he cannot compete when others like him can.

But then, whoever said that life was fair?