Athletics: Chambers to Return in Gateshead

Dwain Chambers is set to make his return from his two-year doping ban in the British grand prix in Gateshead on Sunday, running against the joint world record holder for the 100 metres, Asafa Powell.

The Londoner was suspended in 2003 after testing positive for the banned anabolic steroid THG, supplied to him by Victor Conte, the founder and owner of the Bay Area Laboratory Co-Operative (Balco). He should have been eligible to return more than six months ago but an admission during an interview with the BBC in December that he had been using steroids for up to a year before he tested positive complicated the issue.

The International Association of Athletics Federations, the world governing body, demanded that Chambers agree to return up to £120,000 in prize money he earned in the period he was on drugs before it would sanction his return. After complicated negotiations, that issue now appears to have been resolved and he has the green light to run again.

The 28-year-old is due to return today from Jamaica, where he has been training under a new coach, Glenn Mills, who also works with the 2003 world champion Kim Collins. Those who have seen Chambers train say he is in shape to win the European 100m gold in Gothenburg this summer. He took the title in Munich four years ago but is likely to be stripped of that because of his admission to the BBC.

Powell shares the view of most people that Chambers is fortunate to have been given another opportunity. "He's got a second chance so he should make full use of it. Athletes should be banned for life. Taking drugs is illegal and they should serve time."