DWAIN CHAMBERS will fight for his Olympic future in the English high court today as a growing number of his potential Beijing team-mates insist the drugs bylaw he is contesting must stand.
Chambers is seeking a temporary injunction against the British Olympic Association's rule that prevents athletes who have committed a serious doping offence from representing Team GB at future Games.
As Chambers becomes the first athlete to challenge the BOA rule in court Jo Pavey, Martyn Rooney and Goldie Sayers, three leading British track and field athletes, have joined the large contingent supporting the 16-year-old bylaw.
Two weeks ago, when the British Athletes' Commission revealed more than 100 members had signed their petition to keep the bylaw, only the sprinter Craig Pickering and 800-metre runner Becky Lyne were among Chambers's contemporaries to have put pen to paper. But since then Beijing-bound Pavey, the Commonwealth 5,000m silver medallist, the 400m runner Rooney and javelin thrower Sayers have said the bylaw should remain in place.
Helen Clitheroe, Andrew Steele and Will Sharman are among others who have signed the petition along with the former Olympic champions Sally Gunnell and David Hemery.
Chambers's legal team have insisted the bylaw is "inherently unfair" and a "restraint of trade".
Justice Colin Mackay received all the written evidence in the past 24 hours. A decision will be made today; both parties have tomorrow to appeal before the team for Beijing is finalised at the weekend.
Chambers tested positive in 2003 for the anabolic steroid tetrahydrogestrinone and was suspended for two years under international rules.
Opinion remains divided on whether he should be in Beijing and what the outcome today will be. Stephen Hornsby, a sports lawyer, said: "Chambers's challenge . . . faces serious initial procedural problems which have not yet been examined. In particular, it is entirely possible that the high court will rule it out simply because he has brought it too late and should have started proceedings when he was first punished. He risks losing because he has made it too late."
Jonathan Edwards, Britain's 2000 Olympic triple-jump champion and now a BBC commentator, has said: "I understand the BOA's view but I believe in second chances. I think a life ban is too much. There should be four years minimum, maybe even six, a proper punishment. But, if anybody still wants to come back and has shown their enthusiasm by waiting a long time like that out of competition and the limelight, I think they should be able to."
