Chambers roars to Euro gold

Posted: Sunday 8th March 2009 | 17:58

DWAIN Chambers looked down at his 60m European gold and declared - this one is mine forever.

Chambers storms to gold
POWER HOUSE: GB's Dwain Chambers storms to Euro gold (Getty Images)

Chambers was stripped of his medals - including gold at the 2002 European Championships - following his drugs ban in 2003.

But he insists the painful lesson has been well learned.

"It's just a great feeling to be back on that rostrum in my national colours and writing my name in history for all the right reasons," he said.

"Nobody can take this medal away now. I won't fail any drugs test and I'm doing my sport clean."

Chambers - who lowered Laurent Fignon's four-year old European record in the semi-final - couldn't rewrite Maurice Greene's long-standing world best.

But his time of 6.46 seconds was still one tenth quicker than Italian silver medallist Fabio Cerutti.

"I wanted to go faster but I had to make a decision - a world record or a gold medal," he added.

"I was more concerned about someone else winning, so I just ran.

"The record was on but my legs were caned from the semis and I was just running on fumes really.

"I just did what was needed to get the medal I wanted."

But problems are never far from Chambers - and they come in many forms.

Firstly, he is still banned from his sport's big events by the powerful EuroMeetings consortium - giving him limited chances to earn money.

In addition, the publication of his book, Race Against Me, is reportedly the subject of an investigation by world governing body IAAF.

It's content will also be discussed in a meeting with new British head coach Charles van Commenee, who has been less than impressed with the tone of its recent serialisation.

And then there is the small matter of building bridges with his team-mates. Simeon Williamson and Craig Pickering - who finished outside the medals in the 60m final - both choose not to celebrate with Chambers, who lurked somewhat embarrassed in the shadows until they'd departed the arena.

"I do hope the British athletes can celebrate with me. We need to let the past be the past now," he said.

"Nobody has read the book yet, so we'll just have to see what the reaction is.

"All I have done is given a reflection on what happened in the past.

"I really hope the promoters reconsider their position. I'm able to run fast and clean and people want to see the best in Europe against the best in the world and that means Usain Bolt."

JAMES TONEY in Turin