Ivory Williams pulls out of Doha; Chambers' hopes of gold boosted

 DWAIN Chambers' chances of adding world indoor gold to his European title have been handed a major boost following the withdrawal of the USA's Ivory Williams.

BOOSTED: Dwain Chambers, pictured at the 2008 World Indoor Championships in Valencia en route to silver, has seen his chances of upgrading to gold in Doha significantly boosted (Getty Images)

Williams, 24, clocked 6.49 seconds last month, the fastest time in the world this year over 60m, but has pulled out of this weekend's World Indoor Athletics Championships in Doha, citing personal reasons.

The former world junior champion posted 6.49 to win the American Indoor Championships on February 28 but a USA Track & Field spokeswoman confirmed he was not in Doha and would not be competing.

Chambers, 31, will now be installed as favourite for gold in the Middle East, having clocked a season's best time of 6.50 at the World Trials and UK Championships in February.

The controversial sprinter, who tested positive for banned steroid THG in 2003 before serving a two-year ban, eased to European indoor gold last year in Turin but was forced to settle for world indoor silver in Valencia two years ago.

Chambers' main rivals will now be the USA's Mike Rodgers, who was fourth in Valencia but has clocked 6.52 this season, while the American squad also boasts double Olympic bronze medallist Walter Dix.

The news of Williams' withdrawal will come as welcome news to UKA head coach Charles van Commenee, who has seen Great Britain's ranks already depleted with Phillips Idowu opting against competing in the Middle East, following the recent birth of his second child.