AVIVA 2012 TRIALS: Chambers trumps Gemili but only young pretender is guaranteed Olympic place

By James Toney, Sportsbeat, in Birmingham

DWAIN Chambers believes he's done enough to book his controversial Olympic selection after storming to victory at the Aviva 2012 Trials.

WINNING FEELING: Dwain Chambers celebrates after winning the 100m final at the Aviva 2012 Trails (Getty Images/Aviva Athletics)

Chambers's reaction on crossing the line underlined how much it meant - but for all his fist pumping, chest thumping and x-rated language he still has not run the required selection standard.

His winning 100m time of 10.25 secs is also unlikely to worry the world's best - and would not be worthy of contrast with performances at this weekend's US and Jamaican trials in Oregon and Kingston.

And it means Chambers will now head to next week's European Championships in Helsinki in a bid to dip below 10.08 seconds - a time that even at 34 should be well within his capabilities.

However, he has surely done enough to guarantee himself the discretionary position at the selectors' disposal.

And the way he has handled himself recently - in stark contrast to the build-up to the last Olympics, when he took his selection battle to the High Court - is to his credit.

Although those watching could have probably done without the expletives.

"That's the most scared I've been before a race for a long time," he admitted.

"As an old man you don't want to be beaten by younger athletes, it shows you're in decline.

"The dream is still alive, I can see the end of the rainbow but there is no pot of gold yet - I've not got the time yet.

"I'm sorry about the language at the end, I just got carried away because winning meant so much. 

"You can't be sane to do a sport like this and you need a bit of anger sometimes. But I really apologise for the language, my kids were watching and I'll be in trouble now."

Breakthrough act Adam Gemili finished second and confirmed he would like to go to the Games, as one of only two British sprinters with the A standard.

James Dasaolu, who came third, also looks well placed to complete the sprint line-up after running 10.08 secs earlier this season.

"I’m not definitely going but I can say it’s quite likely that I will," said Gemili. 

"I’ll talk to my coach and say ‘I want to go’ and I’ve got the spot but I’ll make that decision official soon.

"I think I’m fit enough to run both the 100 and the 200 and the relay at the World Juniors and then look to the Olympics.

"It’s a lot of races but I’ve trained hard and I feel that I can do it. I didn’t really put too much pressure on myself I’m only 18  and I wasn’t even meant to be here."

RELIEF: Dwain Chambers must still run the 10.08 sec selection standard to totally guarantee his Olympic place (Getty Images/Aviva Athletics)

But Mark Lewis Francis - who anchored Britain to sprint relay gold in Athens eight years ago - will now be sweating on his involvement after placing a distant sixth.

"I tore my quad last Sunday so every round has been a blessing," he insisted.

"I was given an ultimatum - run the trials or finish my season.

"To run the final and come sixth I'm happy. I just hope I can go to the Europeans now and get the qualifying time - it's not over.

"I've shown my spirit and determination and I just hope that I get a second chance."

Meanwhile, Jess Ennis defeated specialist Tiffany Porter to win the 100m hurdles, after the American-born British record holder clattered the ninth hurdle.

"To win that was brilliant," said Ennis, who had earlier claimed gold in the high jump. 

"To know that I’m in good shape and things are moving forward is great."

Ashleigh Nelson won the women's 100m ahead of Anyika Onuora, but neither have achieved the selection requirement. Abi Oyepitan, the only British sprinter with the Olympic A standard, withdrew from the final after suffering a niggle during the warm-up and world junior champion Jodie Williams pulled up with an apparent hamstring problem.

British record holder Greg Rutherford secured his Olympic place with a 8.12 metre best to win the long jump, while JJ Legede and Chris Tomlinson finished second and third and will now head to the Europeans in a bid to state their claims.

Elsewhere, Andrew Baddeley and Ross Murray finished first and second over 1500m to secure Team GB selection.

* Aviva has been backing the GB & NI Team since 1999. Now it’s your turn. #BackTheTeam on Twitter or search for ‘Aviva Athletics’ on Facebook

© Sportsbeat 2012