Pickering eyes Chambers head-to-head

Posted: Sunday 1st February 2009 | 14:11

CRAIG Pickering has vowed to learn the lessons from last year as he goes head-to-head with Dwain Chambers at this month's National Championships.

WINNING START: Craig Pickering wins the 60m at the Aviva International in Glasgow, clocking 6.57 seconds (Getty Images)

Pickering won the 60m event at the Aviva International in Glasgow this weekend, as Great Britain suffered a narrow three-point loss at the hands of a Commonwealth Select team.

Pickering crossed the line in 6.57 seconds while 300 miles south at the National Indoor Arena, Chambers was winning the Birmingham Games in 6.52 secs, the second quickest time in the world this year.

Twelve months ago, Pickering spoke out about Chambers' return to athletics after his two-year ban, insisting drugs cheats should never be given a second chance.

However, he now believes it was a mistake to get caught up in the controversy that perennially swirls around Chambers, claiming it was a factor in his disappointment at the Olympics in Beijing.

"I got involved too much last year, which was a mistake. It's still something I really believe in, but this year I'm just shutting up about it," said Pickering.

"Dwain is one of the athletes I've got to beat. If I have a good day and he has an off day I may have a chance.

"What happened last year was an error. It was getting personal and I'm a professional athlete."

Mo Farah set a new British indoor 3,000m record - shaving a tenth of a second off John Mayock's 2002 time as he crossed the line in 7 minutes 40.99 seconds.

Farah looks set to miss next month's World cross country Championships to focus on his preparations for the summer World Championships in Berlin, as championship with added importance following his disappointment in Beijing.

"That was a great start to the indoor season, I knew I was in good shape but to break the British record is a real bonus, I never expected that," said Farah.

"I've had a very good winter so far and it is showing. I know there is a lot more to come and I expect to run even faster as the season progresses."