Dwain Chambers

{{Short description|British track sprinter (born 1978)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=January 2022}} {{Use British English|date=July 2025}} {{Infobox sportsperson |name = Dwain Chambers |image = Dwain Chambers, September 2008 (cropped).jpg |imagesize = |caption = Chambers in 2008 |nationality = British (English) |sport = Men's athletics |event = 100 metres, 60 metres |club = Belgrave Harriers |birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1978|4|5|df=yes}}<ref name="sports-reference"/> |birth_place = London, England<ref name="sports-reference"/> |death_date = |death_place = |height = {{convert|5|ft|11|in|cm}}<ref name="sports-reference">{{cite Sports-Reference|title=Dwain Chambers|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/athletes/ch/dwain-chambers-1.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200418011403/https://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/athletes/ch/dwain-chambers-1.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=18 April 2020|access-date=15 July 2017}}</ref> |weight = {{convert|183|lb|kg|abbr=on}}<ref name="sports-reference"/> |pb = 9.97 s |medaltemplates = {{Medal|Country|{{GBR2}}}} {{Medal|Competition|World Championships}} {{Medal|Silver|1999 Seville|4 × 100 m relay}} {{Medal|Bronze|1999 Seville|100 m}} {{Medal|Competition|World Indoor Championships}} {{Medal|Gold|2010 Doha|60 m}} {{Medal|Silver|2008 Valencia|60 m}} {{Medal|Bronze|2012 Istanbul|60 m}} {{Medal|Competition|World Relays}} {{Medal|Bronze|2014 Nassau|4 × 100 m relay}} {{Medal|Competition | Goodwill Games }} {{Medal|Gold | 2001 Brisbane | 4 × 100 m relay }} {{Medal|Gold | 2001 Brisbane | 100 m }} {{Medal|Competition|European Championships}} {{Medal|Gold|2006 Gothenburg|4 × 100 m relay}} {{Medal|Silver|1998 Budapest|100 m}} {{Medal|Competition|European Indoor Championships}} {{Medal|Gold|2009 Turin|60 m}} {{Medal|Silver|2011 Paris|60 m}} {{Medal|Competition|European Junior Championships}} {{Medal|Gold|1995 Nyiregyhaza|100 m}} {{Medal|Gold|1995 Nyiregyhaza|4 × 100 m relay}} {{Medal|Gold|1997 Ljubljana|100 m}} {{Medal|Gold|1997 Ljubljana|4 × 100 m relay}} {{Medal|Country|{{ENG}}}} {{Medal|Competition|Commonwealth Games}} {{Medal|Gold|1998 Kuala Lumpur|4 × 100 m relay}} }}

'''Dwain Anthony Chambers''' (born 5 April 1978) is a British track sprinter. He has won international medals at World and European levels and is one of the fastest European sprinters in the history of athletics.<ref name=IAAFbio>{{cite web|title=Chambers, Dwain biography|publisher=World Athletics|url=https://worldathletics.org/athletes/great-britain-ni/dwain-chambers-14188803|access-date=17 November 2025|archive-date=30 July 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080730040759/http://www.iaaf.org/athletes/biographies/country=GBR/athcode=50331/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref> His primary event is the 100 metres, with a best of 9.97 seconds, which ranks him equal 9th on the British all-time list.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.thepowerof10.info/rankings/rankinglist.aspx?event=100&agegroup=ALL&sex=M&alltime=y |work=Power of 10 |title=100 metres Men Overall All-time |access-date=31 May 2018 |archive-date=22 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180622165338/https://www.thepowerof10.info/rankings/rankinglist.aspx?event=100&agegroup=ALL&sex=M&alltime=y |url-status=live }}</ref> He is the former European record holder for the 60 metres and 4 × 100 metres relay events with 6.42 seconds and 37.73 s respectively.

Chambers ran a 100 m world junior record of 10.06 s in 1997 and became the youngest ever medalist in the event at the 1999 World Championships, taking the bronze. On his Olympic début at the 2000 Sydney Olympics he was the best European performer in fourth place. He broke the 10-second barrier twice at the 2001 World Championships. In 2003 he received a two-year athletics ban after testing positive for THG, a banned performance-enhancing drug and was stripped of the 100 m European title and record he achieved in 2002.

Chambers returned to competition in June 2006 and won gold with his teammates in the 4 × 100 m at the 2006 European Championships. He tried other sports, including a spell with the Hamburg Sea Devils of the NFL Europa league and a rugby league trial with Castleford. Sprinting success came over 60 m when he won silver at the 2008 World Indoor Championships, gold at the 2009 European Indoors, and became world champion at the 2010 World Indoor Championships.

Due to his doping ban, he was barred from the Olympics, Commonwealth Games, and much of the European racing circuit, from 2006 to 2012. The Court of Arbitration for Sport overturned his lifetime Olympic ban, deeming it non-compliant with the World Anti-Doping Code,<ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2012/apr/30/london-2012-dwain-chambers London 2012: Wada accuses BOA of making 'hysterical statements'] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170305035156/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2012/apr/30/london-2012-dwain-chambers |date=5 March 2017 }}. PA/''The Guardian'' (30 April 2012). Retrieved on 9 May 2012.</ref> and he competed in the 2012 London Olympics. He produced a ghost-written autobiography with writer Ken Scott, ''Race Against Me'', in 2009.

Still competing at the age of 45, he set a new indoor M45 60 m world record and reached the semi-finals in the UK Athletics Indoor Championships. Outside of Athletics, he is an athletics coach and public speaker.

He is of Afro-Caribbean- Jamaican descent and has two sons with his partner Leonie Daley.

== Biography == === Early life and career === Chambers was born in Islington, and raised in Finsbury Park, London.<ref name=Birthdate>{{cite news|title=Dwain Chambers Profile|work=BBC Sport|date=24 February 2004|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/athletics/3203743.stm|access-date=19 July 2008|archive-date=2 December 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061202134510/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/athletics/3203743.stm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=Afrocarab>{{cite news|last=Cooke|first=Rachel|title=New kid on the blocks|newspaper=The Observer|date=7 July 2002|url=https://www.theguardian.com/observer/osm/story/0,,749439,00.html|access-date=19 July 2008|location=London|archive-date=11 June 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080611094434/http://observer.guardian.co.uk/osm/story/0,,749439,00.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/athletics-a-party-without-a-champion-1245783.html|title=Athletics: A party without a champion|website=The Independent|date=16 August 1997|language=en-GB|access-date=19 August 2016|archive-date=17 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180717053031/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/athletics-a-party-without-a-champion-1245783.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Running was a part of his family life: his older sister Christine won the senior 100 metres Finals at the English Schools Championships in 1986 and 1987 and competed in the European Athletics Junior Championships.<ref>{{cite web|title=English Schools Championships (Girls) – 100 Metres|publisher=gbrathletics.com|url=http://www.gbrathletics.com/bc/esg.htm|access-date=24 July 2008|archive-date=17 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180917181536/http://www.gbrathletics.com/bc/esg.htm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=Blackribbon>{{cite news|last=Turnbull |first=Simon |title=The Interview Dwain Chambers: Black ribbon and gold hope drive on the Dwain journey Britain's leading sprinter is far from the preening egotistic stereotype. |newspaper=The Independent on Sunday |date=17 August 2003 |url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4159/is_20030817/ai_n12742279 |access-date=24 July 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090314032109/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4159/is_20030817/ai_n12742279 |archive-date=14 March 2009 }}</ref> As a schoolboy he was coached by Selwyn Philbert who devoted himself to the young sprinter.<ref name=Knight>{{cite news|last=Knight|first=Tom|title='Little Linford' grew up to captain Britain|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|date=24 February 2004|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/drugsinsport/2373733/%27Little-Linford%27-grew-up-to-captain-Britain.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130505080823/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/drugsinsport/2373733/%27Little-Linford%27-grew-up-to-captain-Britain.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=5 May 2013|access-date=26 July 2008|location=London}}</ref> Chambers first athletic success came at the 1994 English Schools' Athletic Association Championships, where he won the boys' intermediate 100 m race with a time of 10.64 seconds.<ref>{{cite web|title=English Schools Championships (Boys)|publisher=gbratheletics.com|url=http://www.gbrathletics.com/bc/esb.htm|access-date=23 July 2008|archive-date=17 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180917181437/http://www.gbrathletics.com/bc/esb.htm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=factfile>{{cite news|title=Dwain Chambers factfile|newspaper=The Independent|date=18 July 2008|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/athletics/dwain-chambers-factfile-871223.html|access-date=18 July 2008|location=London|archive-date=16 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180716235633/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/athletics/dwain-chambers-factfile-871223.html|url-status=live}}</ref> International medals followed at the 1995 European Junior Championships, at which he won the 100 m and the 4 × 100 metres relay.<ref name=EJC>{{cite web|title=European Junior Championships|publisher=gbrathletics.com|url=http://www.gbrathletics.com/bm/ej.htm|access-date=23 July 2008|archive-date=17 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180917181609/http://www.gbrathletics.com/bm/ej.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> He defended these titles at the 1997 European Junior Championships, and set a then world junior record in the 100 m with a time of 10.06 s.<ref name=IAAFbio/>

Chambers transitioned into the senior ranks soon after, taking the 100 m silver medal behind his British teammate Darren Campbell at the 1998 European Championships.<ref name=Euro1998>{{cite news|title=Arron Smashes 100-Meter Record|newspaper=The New York Times|date=20 August 1998|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9D00EFDE133DF933A1575BC0A96E958260|access-date=23 July 2008|archive-date=14 March 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090314052112/http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9D00EFDE133DF933A1575BC0A96E958260|url-status=live}}</ref> He achieved a new personal best in September at the 1998 IAAF World Cup with a run of 10.03 s for third place and won a relay gold medal.<ref name=IAAF1998>{{cite web|title=Official Results – 100 m Men – Final |publisher=IAAF |date=11 September 1998 |url=http://www2.iaaf.org/WCP98/Results/data/M/100/Rf.html |access-date=23 July 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081210125134/http://www2.iaaf.org/WCP98/Results/data/M/100/Rf.html |archive-date=10 December 2008 }}</ref> At the 1998 Commonwealth Games he was a 100 m semi finalist and set a games record as part of the 4 × 100 m relay team.<ref>[http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/olympics/1998/commonwealth/news/1998/09/21/track_wrap/ 'I thought I'd won'] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121024194901/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/olympics/1998/commonwealth/news/1998/09/21/track_wrap/ |date=24 October 2012 }}. ''Sports Illustrated'' (21 September 1998). Retrieved on 5 May 2009.</ref><ref>[http://www.thecgf.com/records/category.asp Commonwealth Games Records] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130529202146/http://www.thecgf.com/records/category.asp |date=29 May 2013 }}. Commonwealth Games official website. Retrieved on 5 May 2009.</ref> His ability attracted the attention of former sprinter and Commonwealth Games gold medallist Mike McFarlane, who became his coach.<ref name=Knight/> He came first in the 100 m in the 1999 European Cup, then at a meet in Nuremberg he became only the second European sprinter (after Linford Christie) to break the ten second barrier with a time of 9.99 s.<ref name=IAAFbio/><ref name=factfile/> Fellow British sprinter Jason Gardener scored a time of 9.98 s in Lausanne soon after, becoming the third Briton to break the barrier.<ref name=Gatecrasher>{{cite news|last=Turnbull|first=Simon|title=Athletics: The Interview – Dwain Chambers: Gatecrasher at the Greene|newspaper=The Independent|date=27 August 2000|url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4158/is_20000827/ai_n14331870|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070305162322/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4158/is_20000827/ai_n14331870|url-status=dead|archive-date=5 March 2007|access-date=23 July 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Turnbull|first=Simon|title='Clean machines' can reach the top despite drug cheats, says Gardener|newspaper=The Independent|date=10 February 2008|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/athletics/clean-machines-can-reach-the-top-despite-drug-cheats-says-gardener-780429.html|access-date=23 July 2008|location=London|archive-date=1 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170301093023/http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/athletics/clean-machines-can-reach-the-top-despite-drug-cheats-says-gardener-780429.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In spite of this, Chambers remained some distance behind his North American counterparts in terms of times.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sport/world_athletics/427555.stm Chambers slipstreams Greene for bronze]. BBC Sport (1999-08-23). Retrieved 2025-11-17.</ref>

=== Seville World Championships to Sydney Olympics === In his first major outing on the world stage, Chambers attained a new personal best at the 1999 World Championships in Seville, registering a time of 9.97 s for third place in the 100 m final. This made the 21-year-old the youngest ever World Championships 100 m medallist.<ref name=Blackribbon/> North Americans dominated the event as Maurice Greene and Bruny Surin took first and second place respectively, with record runs of 9.80 s and 9.84 s, respectively.<ref name=Sevilla>{{cite web|title=Official Results – 100 m – Men – Final |publisher=IAAF |date=22 August 1999 |url=http://www2.iaaf.org/WCH99/Results/data/M/100/Rf.html |access-date=23 July 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081210125120/http://www2.iaaf.org/WCH99/Results/data/M/100/Rf.html |archive-date=10 December 2008 }}</ref> The British sprint team Chambers, Gardener, Campbell and Marlon Devonish performed well in the 4 × 100 metres relay event as runners-up in a time of 37.73 s behind the US team led by Greene.<ref>{{cite web|title=Official Results – 4 X 100 m – Men – Final |publisher=IAAF |date=29 August 1999 |url=http://www2.iaaf.org/WCH99/Results/data/M/4X1/Rf.html |access-date=24 July 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081203115517/http://www2.iaaf.org/wch99/results/data/M/4X1/Rf.html |archive-date=3 December 2008 }}</ref> World record holder Maurice Greene was hitting his peak, winning three gold medals in Seville. However, at 21 years old, Chambers had achieved more than Greene had at that age: Greene's best was 10.08 s in 1996 and he had never reached a major final.<ref>{{cite web|title=Maurice Greene IAAF profile |publisher=IAAF |url=http://www2.iaaf.org/Results/Bio/15044.html |access-date=25 July 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080617225825/http://www2.iaaf.org/Results/Bio/15044.html |archive-date=17 June 2008 }}</ref>

With the 2000 Sydney Olympics approaching, Chambers studied the technique of other sprinters. In an interview with BBC journalist Tom Fordyce, Chambers commented on the stamina Greene and Surin had gained from running in the 200 metres event and Jason Gardener's improved acceleration through running the 60 metres event.<ref name=Fordyce1>{{cite news|last=Fordyce|first=Tom|title=Chambers aims for the top|work=BBC Sport|date=28 June 2000|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/athletics/803227.stm|access-date=25 July 2008|archive-date=3 February 2003|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030203201103/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/athletics/803227.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> He experimented with distances at the beginning of 2000, sprinting over 50, 60 and 200 m in various competitions. He set a personal best of 6.55 s in the 60 m event in Ghent in February.<ref name=IAAFbio/> A hamstring injury caused him to miss six-weeks of training and when he returned his 100 m performances were lacklustre.<ref name=Gatecrasher/><ref name=Fordyce1/> He finished ninth at the Golden Gala in Rome with a slow time of 10.41 s and was seventh in a tame 10.30 s at the London Grand Prix, results that led him to consider quitting the season altogether.<ref name=Gatecrasher/><ref>{{cite news|last=Rowbottom |first=Mike |title=Athletics: Greene moves into gear with sprint double |newspaper=The Independent |date=1 July 2000 |url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4158/is_20000701/ai_n14325808 |access-date=25 July 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090314042257/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4158/is_20000701/ai_n14325808 |archive-date=14 March 2009 }}</ref> A late rejuvenation at the British Olympic trials guaranteed his selection as he snatched first place with 10.11 s (just one hundredth of a second ahead of Darren Campbell).<ref>{{cite news|title=I lost my confidence – Chambers|work=BBC Sport|date=17 August 2000|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/olympics2000/athletics-track/884396.stm|access-date=26 July 2008|archive-date=30 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211030002456/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/olympics2000/athletics-track/884396.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> Victory against in-form world record holder Maurice Greene in Gateshead raised Chambers' confidence and he stated his aim to take home a medal from the Games.<ref>{{cite news|title=Chambers defeats Greene|work=BBC Sport|date=28 August 2000|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/athletics/900067.stm|access-date=26 July 2008|archive-date=23 October 2002|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021023032104/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/athletics/900067.stm|url-status=live}}</ref>

The 2000 Sydney Olympics saw Chambers come close to the podium. He easily qualified through the heat stages and achieved a season's best of 10.08 s in the 100 m final finishing fourth behind Greene, Ato Boldon and Obadele Thompson.<ref name=IAAFbio/><ref name=2000Olympics>{{cite news|last=Mackay|first=Duncan|title=Greene party time|newspaper=The Guardian|date=24 September 2000|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sydney/story/0,,372632,00.html|access-date=25 July 2008|location=London|archive-date=1 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170301094031/https://www.theguardian.com/sydney/story/0,,372632,00.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Chambers was the best European 100 m performer, but after disqualification in the relay heats he left the games without a medal.<ref name=IAAFBio/>

=== Edmonton World championships === He made his fastest opening to a season in 2001 by winning the 100 m for his club Belgrave Harriers at the European Clubs Cup with a meet record time of 10.12 s.<ref name=GFactfile>{{cite news|title=Dwain Chambers factfile|newspaper=The Guardian|date=29 April 2004|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2004/apr/29/athletics|access-date=3 August 2008|location=London|archive-date=1 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170301094129/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2004/apr/29/athletics|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Athletics: Dwain in top form |work=The Sunday Mirror |date=27 May 2001 |url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4161/is_20010527/ai_n14530704 |access-date=3 August 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090314024341/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4161/is_20010527/ai_n14530704 |archive-date=14 March 2009 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Rowbottom|first=Mike|title=Historic moment as Seberle tops 9,000|newspaper=The Independent|date=28 May 2001|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/historic-moment-as-seberle-tops-9000-686224.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090313235841/http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/historic-moment-as-seberle-tops-9000-686224.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=13 March 2009|access-date=3 August 2008|location=London}}</ref> At the Amateur Athletics Association (AAA) trials in Birmingham his run of 10.01 s was the fastest ever wind-legal time recorded in Britain by a British sprinter.<ref name=factfile/><ref>This was the fastest time recorded over 100 m by a British sprinter in Britain that did not have an assisting wind over the international restriction of +2.0 m/s</ref><ref name=Destroy>{{cite news|last=Fordyce|first=Tom|title=Chambers destroys the field|work=BBC Sport|date=14 July 2001|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/athletics/1438854.stm|access-date=27 July 2008|archive-date=30 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211030002342/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/athletics/1438854.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> Chambers ran with consistency in the summer of 2001: he won at the Seville Grand Prix in 10.01 s and finished third in ten seconds flat at the Athletissima meet.<ref>{{cite web|title=Atletismo Sevilla 2001 – Sevilla|publisher=IAAF|date=8 June 2001|url=http://www2.iaaf.org/GP01/GP2Sevilla/Results/data/M/100/ERF.asp|access-date=27 July 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050422000552/http://www2.iaaf.org/gp01/GP2Sevilla/Results/data/M/100/ERF.asp|archive-date=22 April 2005 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Athletissima 2001 – Lausanne|publisher=IAAF|date=4 July 2001|url=http://www2.iaaf.org/GP01/GP1Lausanne/Results/data/M/100/ERF.asp|access-date=27 July 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050925004045/http://www2.iaaf.org/gp01/GP1Lausanne/Results/data/M/100/ERF.asp|archive-date=25 September 2005 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Chambers trails behind Greene|work=BBC Sport|date=4 July 2001|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/athletics/1423030.stm|access-date=27 July 2008|archive-date=28 October 2002|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021028125559/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/athletics/1423030.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> In the run up to the 2001 IAAF Edmonton World Championships Chambers compared his own performances to the British record holder: "I am very consistent in the 10.00s this year, and that bodes well for the Worlds. If you are running as fast as Linford Christie in his prime, it gives you a lot of confidence."<ref name=Destroy/>

{{quote box|quote=''You have to have it upstairs to beat Maurice. His whole aura can have an effect on your mental focus. If you get caught up in his mind-games then you'll be crushed.''<ref name=Victorycry>{{cite news|last=Fordyce|first=Tom|title=Chambers issues victory cry|work=BBC Sport|date=3 August 2001|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/in_depth/2001/world_athletics/our_man_at_edmonton/1471419.stm|access-date=2008-07-27|archive-date=26 July 2004|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040726002749/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/in_depth/2001/world_athletics/our_man_at_edmonton/1471419.stm|url-status=live}}</ref>|source='''Chambers on Maurice Greene''' BBC Interview with Tom Fordyce|width=20%|align=right}}

Chambers also competed over 200 m and a personal best run of 20.31 s earned him selection in both sprints for the World Championships.<ref name=factfile/><ref name=Victorycry/><ref>{{cite web|title=Chambers – challenging Greene's dominance|publisher=Sporting Life|date=21 July 2001|url=http://www.sportinglife.com/athletics/wachamp2001/bobritish/story_get.dor?STORY_NAME=Sporting_Life/01/07/24/manual_125935.html|access-date=27 July 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605013235/http://www.sportinglife.com/athletics/wachamp2001/bobritish/story_get.dor?STORY_NAME=Sporting_Life%2F01%2F07%2F24%2Fmanual_125935.html|archive-date=5 June 2011}}</ref> In an interview with Tom Fordyce, Chambers stated that Maurice Greene's strong presence and mind games undermined the competition both physically and mentally. "You have to get out in front of him and hold on for dear life" he said of the world record holder.<ref name=Victorycry/>

Chambers broke the ten second barrier twice in the 2001 World Championships with a personal best of 9.97 s in the quarter-finals and a run of 9.99 s in the final.<ref>{{cite web|title=Official Results – 100 M – Men – Quarter-final |publisher=IAAF |date=4 August 2001 |url=http://www2.iaaf.org/WCH01/Results/data/M/100/Rqf.html |access-date=27 July 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081210125115/http://www2.iaaf.org/WCH01/Results/data/M/100/Rqf.html |archive-date=10 December 2008 }}</ref><ref name=2001Edmonton>{{cite web|title=Official Results – 100 M – Men – Final |publisher=IAAF |date=5 August 2001 |url=http://www2.iaaf.org/WCH01/Results/data/M/100/Rf.html |access-date=27 July 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080915075419/http://www2.iaaf.org/WCH01/Results/data/M/100/Rf.html |archive-date=15 September 2008 }}</ref> This was not enough for a medal in a strong race which featured five sprinters running under ten seconds and saw Greene defend his title. Chambers was later upgraded to fourth place after silver medallist Tim Montgomery tested positive for banned substances.<ref>{{cite news|title=Montgomery hit with two-year ban|work=BBC Sport|date=13 December 2005|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/athletics/4521452.stm|access-date=27 July 2008|archive-date=15 December 2005|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051215124952/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/athletics/4521452.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> A hamstring injury in the final ruled him out of the 200 m event.<ref>{{cite news|last=Duncan|first=Mackay|title=Hamstring forces Chambers to pull out of 200m|newspaper=The Guardian|date=8 August 2001|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2001/aug/08/athletics.duncanmackay1|access-date=27 July 2008|location=London|archive-date=1 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170301094138/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2001/aug/08/athletics.duncanmackay1|url-status=live}}</ref> Chambers ended his season at the 2001 Goodwill Games in Brisbane, and finished in first place in the absence of an injured Greene, who commentated on his European rival's victory.<ref name=Goodwill>{{cite news|title=Chambers scores upset in 100; Johnson, Dragila win gold|publisher=CNN/Sports Illustrated|date=5 September 2001|url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/more/2001/goodwill_games/news/2001/09/05/goodwill_roundup_ap|access-date=27 July 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121023082226/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/more/2001/goodwill_games/news/2001/09/05/goodwill_roundup_ap/|archive-date=23 October 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref>

=== 2002 European champion === Chambers' coach Mike McFarlane struggled with the workload of full-time training.<ref name=Coach>{{cite news|last=Turnbull |first=Simon |title=Commonwealth Games 2002: Chambers finds his feet under coach |newspaper=The Independent |date=21 June 2002 |url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4158/is_20020721/ai_n12635662 |access-date=1 August 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090314030417/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4158/is_20020721/ai_n12635662 |archive-date=14 March 2009 }}</ref> Frustrated by the distance between himself and the top sprinters, Chambers decided to relocate to California to work with Ukrainian coach Remi Korchemny and nutritionist Victor Conte.<ref name=Gutter>{{cite news|last=Fordyce|first=Tom|title=I was in gutter, admits Chambers|work=BBC Sport|date=10 December 2005|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/athletics/4512862.stm|access-date=18 July 2008|archive-date=24 January 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070124141124/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/athletics/4512862.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> After parting ways with American sprinter Tim Montgomery, Conte looked to Chambers to fill the athlete's berth.<ref name=Shadows>{{cite book|title=Game of Shadows: Barry Bonds, Balco, and the Steroids Scandal That Rocked Professional Sports|last1=Fainaru-Wada|first1=Mark|last2=Williams|first2= Lance|year=2007|publisher=Penguin|location=USA|isbn=978-1-59240-268-7}}</ref> In the run up to the year's major events, Chambers was in fine form and recorded a 200 m personal best of 20.27 s in Athens on 10 June 2002.<ref group=x name=x>All results, times, personal bests, records, medals or other achievements flagged with an "x" label were nullified from the record by the IAAF as they were achieved while Chambers was using banned substances.</ref><ref name=promise>{{cite news|last=Rowbottom|first=Mike|title=Athletics: Chambers displays promising sprint form|newspaper=The Independent|date=11 June 2002|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/athletics-chambers-displays-promising-sprint-form-645067.html|access-date=1 August 2008|location=London|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090314012654/http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/athletics-chambers-displays-promising-sprint-form-645067.html|archive-date=14 March 2009 }}</ref> Montgomery, impressed by Chambers' training regime, tipped the Briton to win the gold at the forthcoming 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester, England.<ref>{{cite news|title=Chambers tipped for Commonwealth glory|work=BBC Sport|date=18 April 2002|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/athletics/1937956.stm|access-date=19 August 2008|archive-date=3 December 2002|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021203075157/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/athletics/1937956.stm|url-status=live}}</ref>

{{quote box|quote=I'm not taking anything away from Dwain. He was better prepared than me and fully deserved the victory. He's getting better and better. I can't be mad with myself – he ran so well.<ref name=Oslo/>|source='''Maurice Greene''' after losing to Chambers in Oslo ''From BBC Sport''|width=20%|align=right}}

He won the 100 m at the Commonwealth Games trials in a season's best of 10.03 s,<ref group=x name=x/><ref>{{cite news|last=Rowbottom |first=Mike |title=Athletics: Commonwealth Trials – Chambers hits seasonal peak on speed |newspaper=The Independent |date=17 June 2002 |url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4158/is_20020617/ai_n12627234 |access-date=1 August 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090314024852/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4158/is_20020617/ai_n12627234 |archive-date=14 March 2009 }}</ref> then equalled Linford Christie's record of 10.04 s at European Cup,<ref group=x name=x/> where he led the British team to victory as team captain.<ref>{{cite news|title=Euro Cup captains announced|work=BBC Sport|date=19 June 2002|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/athletics/2054906.stm|access-date=1 August 2008|archive-date=30 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211030002417/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/athletics/2054906.stm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Burgess|first=Rob|title=Athletics team wins European Cup|publisher=UK Sport|date=26 June 2002|url=http://www.uksport.gov.uk/news/1044|access-date=1 August 2008|archive-date=11 November 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081111040528/http://www.uksport.gov.uk/news/1044/|url-status=live}}</ref> Victories over Maurice Greene followed at Oslo's IAAF Golden League meeting and in Sheffield with a wind-assisted 9.95 s.<ref group=x name=x/><ref name=Oslo>{{cite news|title=Chambers takes Greene scalp|work=BBC Sport|date=28 June 2002|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/athletics/2071372.stm|access-date=1 August 2008|archive-date=5 October 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071005071232/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/athletics/2071372.stm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Chambers shows Sheffield steel|work=BBC Sport|date=30 June 2002|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/athletics/2074286.stm|access-date=1 August 2008|archive-date=12 February 2004|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040212233651/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/athletics/2074286.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> He was the favourite for the 2002 Commonwealth Games, but Chambers faced stiff competition from British newcomer Mark Lewis-Francis who was finishing fractions of a second behind him.<ref name=Coach/> Chambers won all his preliminary races and reached the final, along with Lewis-Francis and Jason Gardener,<ref>{{cite web|title=2002 Commonwealth Games – 100 m Round 1|publisher=2002 Commonwealth Games – Official website|date=26 July 2002|url=http://m2002.thecgf.com/results/default.asp?ID=AT_100_M&content=AT_100_M_ps_R1&type=event&title=Phase^Status|access-date=1 August 2008|archive-date=17 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180917181606/http://m2002.thecgf.com/results/default.asp?ID=AT_100_M&content=AT_100_M_ps_R1&type=event&title=Phase%5EStatus|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=2002 Commonwealth Games – 100 m Round 2|publisher=2002 Commonwealth Games – Official website|date=26 July 2002|url=http://m2002.thecgf.com/results/default.asp?ID=AT_100_M&content=AT_100_M_ps_R2&type=event&title=Phase^Status|access-date=1 August 2008|archive-date=17 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180917181437/http://m2002.thecgf.com/results/default.asp?ID=AT_100_M&content=AT_100_M_ps_R2&type=event&title=Phase%5EStatus|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=2002 Commonwealth Games – 100 m Semi-finals|publisher=2002 Commonwealth Games – Official website|date=27 July 2002|url=http://m2002.thecgf.com/results/default.asp?ID=AT_100_M&content=AT_100_M_ps_SF&type=event&title=Phase^Status|access-date=1 August 2008|archive-date=14 March 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090314013426/http://m2002.thecgf.com/results/default.asp?ID=AT_100_M&content=AT_100_M_ps_SF&type=event&title=Phase%5EStatus|url-status=live}}</ref> but he suffered a cramp mid-race and ended up in last place. The English sprinters had the three slowest times in the final, with Lewis-Francis also beset by injury.<ref>{{cite news|title=Collins wins dramatic 100 m|work=BBC Sport|date=27 July 2002|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport3/commonwealthgames2002/hi/athletics/newsid_2153000/2153534.stm|access-date=1 August 2008|archive-date=27 January 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110127053931/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport3/commonwealthgames2002/hi/athletics/newsid_2153000/2153534.stm|url-status=live}}</ref>

After Commonwealth disappointment on home turf, Chambers won gold medals in the 100 m and 4 × 100 m relay at the 2002 European Championships in Munich, setting a championship record of 9.96 s.<ref group=x name=x/><ref name=Knight/><ref>{{cite news|last=Fordyce|first=Tom|title=Chambers proves doubters wrong|work=BBC Sport|date=7 August 2002|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/athletics/specials/european_athletics/2179670.stm|access-date=1 August 2008|archive-date=2 July 2004|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040702114804/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/athletics/specials/european_athletics/2179670.stm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Brits claim relay double|work=BBC Sport|date=11 August 2002|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/athletics/specials/european_athletics/2186945.stm|access-date=1 August 2008|archive-date=1 July 2004|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040701205526/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/athletics/specials/european_athletics/2186945.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> Chambers recorded a time of 9.94 s at the Weltklasse Zürich meeting, again beating world record holder Greene.<ref group=x name=x/><ref>{{cite news|last=Turnbull |first=Simon |title=Athletics: Dwain train gathers speed as Chambers leaves horrors |newspaper=The Independent |date=18 August 2002 |url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4158/is_20020818/ai_n12638585 |access-date=1 August 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090314024902/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4158/is_20020818/ai_n12638585 |archive-date=14 March 2009 }}</ref> He finished the season by equalling Linford Christie's European record at the 2002 IAAF Grand Prix Final. His run of 9.87 s with a maximum allowable wind of +2.0 m/s left him second to Tim Montgomery, who set a world record of 9.78 s.<ref group=x name=x/><ref>{{cite news|title=Montgomery is new world-record holder in 100 meters|newspaper=USA Today|date=14 September 2002|url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/olympics/summer/track/2002-09-14-montgomery_x.htm|access-date=1 August 2008|archive-date=4 April 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100404014244/http://www.usatoday.com/sports/olympics/summer/track/2002-09-14-montgomery_x.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> Chambers received the 2002 European Athlete of the Year trophy for his achievements on the track that year.<ref>{{cite web|title=Waterford Crystal European Athlete of the Year Trophy 2002|publisher=European Athletic Association|url=http://www.european-athletics.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=162&Itemid=64|access-date=1 August 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071023115939/http://www.european-athletics.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=162&Itemid=64|archive-date=23 October 2007 }}</ref>

=== 2003 World championships === Chambers began the 2003 season with a grandiose statement – namely that he would lower the 100 m record to 9.65 s.<ref>{{cite news|last=Fordyce|first=Tom|title=Chambers hunts world record|work=BBC Sport|date=19 February 2003|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/athletics/2781083.stm|access-date=1 August 2008|archive-date=29 June 2004|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040629094726/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/athletics/2781083.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> After recovering from a minor injury he suffered in January,<ref>{{cite news|title=Chambers out of Greene clash|work=BBC Sport|date=25 January 2003|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/athletics/2693729.stm|access-date=1 August 2008|archive-date=2 May 2004|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040502055003/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/athletics/2693729.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> Despite claims he could also beat the 60 m indoor record, his form was poor and he failed to pass the heats at the 2003 British Grand Prix, finishing fourth in a time of 6.68 s.<ref group=x name=x/><ref>{{cite news|last=Rowbottom|first=Mike|title=Athletics: Moment of truth for confident Chambers in sprint showdown|newspaper=The Independent|date=1 March 2003|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/athletics-moment-of-truth-for-confident-chambers-in-sprint-showdown-599079.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090218235314/http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/athletics-moment-of-truth-for-confident-chambers-in-sprint-showdown-599079.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=18 February 2009 |access-date=1 August 2008|location=London}}</ref> He was beaten by Mark Lewis-Francis by a hundredth of a second at the trials for the IAAF World Indoor Championships, narrowly missing out on selection with a time of 6.59 s.<ref group=x name=x/><ref>{{cite news|last=Turnbull |first=Simon |title=Athletics: Chambers falls short of the Mark |newspaper=The Independent on Sunday |date=2 March 2003 |url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4159/is_20030302/ai_n12735827 |access-date=1 August 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090314024917/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4159/is_20030302/ai_n12735827 |archive-date=14 March 2009 }}</ref>

Chambers announced that he was to part with trainer Mike McFarlane in favour of a permanent relationship with Ukrainian coach Remi Korchemny.<ref>{{cite news|title=Chambers splits from coach|work=BBC Sport|date=13 May 2003|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/athletics/3025293.stm|access-date=1 August 2008|archive-date=9 February 2004|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040209151309/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/athletics/3025293.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> The sprinter started the 100 m season modestly, finishing third and fourth in Modesto and Eugene, respectively.<ref group=x name=x/><ref>{{cite news|last=Mackay|first=Duncan|title=Brain drain claims Dwain|newspaper=The Guardian|date=14 May 2003|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2003/may/14/athletics.duncanmackay|access-date=1 August 2008|location=London|archive-date=8 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170208040626/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2003/may/14/athletics.duncanmackay|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Roberts |first=Barry |title=Athletics: Chambers struggles in defeat by Collins |newspaper=The Independent |date=26 May 2003 |url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4158/is_20030526/ai_n12685201 |access-date=1 August 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090314024909/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4158/is_20030526/ai_n12685201 |archive-date=14 March 2009 }}</ref> Chambers beat Montgomery in Glasgow in June, running a stadium record of 10.15 s into a headwind,<ref group=x name=x/><ref>{{cite news|title=Chambers crushes Montgomery|work=BBC Sport|date=29 June 2003|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/athletics/3030064.stm|access-date=1 August 2008|archive-date=29 April 2004|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040429133415/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/athletics/3030064.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> and qualified for the World Championships by winning the AAA trials.<ref group=x name=x/><ref>{{cite news|title=Chambers takes sprint glory|work=BBC Sport|date=26 July 2003|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/athletics/3086901.stm|access-date=1 August 2008|archive-date=16 January 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080116073526/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/athletics/3086901.stm|url-status=live}}</ref>

His season's best came under unusual circumstances at the British Grand Prix – due to a system malfunction he was initially timed by hand at dead on ten seconds, which was amended to 9.96 s after video evidence was consulted.<ref group=x name=x/><ref name=GFactfile/> He could not match that form at the World 100 m final: Kim Collins, Darrel Brown, Darren Campbell, and Chambers all finished within a split second of each other and Chambers was adjudged to have finished fourth.<ref group=x name=x/><ref>{{cite web|last=Gordon |first=Ian |title=Bronze for Campbell |publisher=Sporting Life |date=25 August 2003 |url=http://www.sportinglife.com/athletics/worldchamps2003/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=others/03/08/25/manual_213122.html |access-date=19 August 2008 |archive-date= 5 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605013558/http://www.sportinglife.com/athletics/worldchamps2003/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=others%2F03%2F08%2F25%2Fmanual_213122.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> Chambers squandered his anchoring lead in the 4 × 100 m relay, allowing Joshua J. Johnson of the United States team to beat him to the finish line.<ref group=x name=x/> In spite of his close fourth and a relay silver medal, there was a sense of disappointment in the press that Chambers' record breaking claims and gold medals had not materialised.<ref name=Knight/><ref>{{cite web|title=IAAF 9th World Championship in Athletics|publisher=Belgrave Harriers|url=http://www.belgraveharriers.com/track_field/tf_world_champs_2003.htm|access-date=1 August 2008|archive-date=12 May 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080512055849/http://www.belgraveharriers.com/track_field/tf_world_champs_2003.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref>

=== Doping ban === A sample for an out-of-competition drugs test that Chambers had provided in Germany on 1 August 2003 was re-examined in October and subsequently tested positive for banned substances.<ref name=GFactfile/><ref name=Gutter/><ref name="Chambers gets two-year ban">{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/athletics/3492427.stm|title=Chambers gets two-year ban|work=BBC Sport|date=24 February 2004|access-date=19 July 2008|archive-date=19 January 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080119114031/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/athletics/3492427.stm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=Dim>{{cite news|last=Holt|first=Sarah|title=Stars dimmed by Balco's shadow|work=BBC Sport|date=6 December 2004|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/front_page/4067449.stm|access-date=1 August 2008|archive-date=5 November 2005|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051105020138/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/front_page/4067449.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> The United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) were investigating the Bay Area Laboratory Co-operative (BALCO); the workplace of both Chambers' coach Remi Korchemny, and nutritionist Victor Conte. Both men faced charges of distributing illegal drugs to athletes in the United States.<ref name=Hayward>{{cite news|last=Hayward|first=Paul|title=The Strut Turns To Dust|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/drugsinsport/2373730/The-strut-turns-to-dust.html|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|date=25 February 2004|access-date=18 July 2008|location=London|archive-date=13 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180713165420/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/drugsinsport/2373730/The-strut-turns-to-dust.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=THGScandal>{{cite news|last=Fordyce|first=Tom|title=Man at the heart of the THG scandal|work=BBC Sport|date=23 October 2003|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/athletics/3207793.stm|access-date=1 August 2008|archive-date=7 October 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071007035041/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/athletics/3207793.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> The BALCO Scandal uncovered drug use in a wide range of sportsmen and women, including sprinters Marion Jones and Tim Montgomery.<ref name=Dim/>

Chambers claimed that his new coach had introduced him to Conte as a way of providing him with specialised 'nutritional supplements' – which he took by putting a few drops of liquid under his tongue.<ref name=Gutter/> Conte had helped develop a type of anabolic steroid called THG, or tetrahydrogestrinone, at BALCO. After Chambers discovered that he had tested positive for drugs he sent his lawyer to meet Conte and make inquires about the supplement he had been ingesting. Conte assured him that all the substances were IAAF compliant.<ref name=THGScandal/><ref name=LAT>{{cite news|last=Abrahamson|first=Alan|title=Chambers' Backup Test Also Positive|work=Los Angeles Times|date=7 November 2003|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-nov-07-sp-olydrug07-story.html|access-date=1 August 2008|archive-date=8 December 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081208202918/http://articles.latimes.com/2003/nov/07/sports/sp-olydrug07|url-status=live}}</ref>

After further investigation, it was revealed on 22 October 2003 that Chambers had tested positive for the banned steroid THG.<ref name=GFactfile/> Analysis of his backup sample also tested positive and the outcome was confirmed on 7 November 2003, making Chambers the first person to test positive for the new drug.<ref name=LAT/> Chambers was suspended the same day with an independent UK Athletics tribunal pending.<ref>{{cite news|last=Rowbottom |first=Michael |title=Athletics: Chambers made to wait for decision on drug test |newspaper=The Independent |date=20 February 2004 |url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4158/is_20040220/ai_n12768023 |access-date=1 August 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090314030430/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4158/is_20040220/ai_n12768023 |archive-date=14 March 2009 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Two year ban for Dwain Chambers over drug use |newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=25 February 2004 |url=http://www.smh.com.au/cgi-bin/common/popupPrintArticle.pl?path=/articles/2004/02/25/1077594862332.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120910190305/http://www.smh.com.au/cgi-bin/common/popupPrintArticle.pl?path=/articles/2004/02/25/1077594862332.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=10 September 2012 |access-date=1 August 2008 }}</ref> The disciplinary hearing on 24 February 2004 resulted in a two-year ban from athletics, backdated to begin on 7 November 2003.<ref>{{cite news|title=Chambers gets two-year ban|work=BBC Sport|date=24 February 2004|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/athletics/3492427.stm|access-date=1 August 2008|archive-date=19 January 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080119114031/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/athletics/3492427.stm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=ArjSingh/> He was also banned for life from the Olympics, and stripped of the medals he had won since mid-2002, after admitting that he had taken THG from that date.<ref name=Gutter/> Chambers' 2002 relay gold medal performance was erased, costing teammates Darren Campbell, Marlon Devonish and Christian Malcolm their medals in the process. Chambers was also ordered by the IAAF to pay back his earnings from the period of his athletics career that was affected by his drug abuse.<ref name=GFactfile/>

Conte claimed that rival coach Trevor Graham had revealed the drug to US testers, acting "purely out of competitive jealousy" as Chambers was challenging Graham's trainees; Montgomery and Greene.<ref>Mackay, Duncan (20 April 2008). [https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2008/apr/20/athletics.drugsinsport Fast and Furious] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170301093647/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2008/apr/20/athletics.drugsinsport |date=1 March 2017 }}. ''The Observer''. Retrieved on 26 January 2009.</ref> Chambers denied that he had any knowledge that the substance he was taking was banned and claimed he was deceived by Conte over its true use.<ref name=Gutter/> However, he contradicted his statement in a later interview, saying that he had major suspicions that he was using banned substances but was too naïve and lacking in self-respect to act otherwise.<ref>{{cite video|people=Dwain Chambers speaking to Garry Richardson and Patrick Collins|date=12 October 2008|title=In-depth interview: Dwain Chambers|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/athletics/7666038.stm|publisher=BBC Radio 5 Live|access-date=5 November 2008|time=5.30|quote="Being that young age, I was vulnerable, easily persuaded and I made the decision, you know. It's something I ultimately regret now"}}</ref> By Chambers' own admission in 2008, in a letter by his supplier Conte to British anti-doping chief John Scott, THG was not the only substance he had used during his career. In his confession he admitted to the use of epitestosterone cream, EPO, HGH, insulin lispro, modafinil and liothyronine.<ref>{{cite news|last=Slater|first=Matt|title=Chambers to deliver drugs dossier|work=BBC Sport|date=15 May 2008|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/olympics/athletics/7400566.stm|access-date=18 July 2008|archive-date=14 January 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090114174949/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/olympics/athletics/7400566.stm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Phillips|first=Michael|title=Letter reveals Chambers took drugs cocktail|newspaper=The Guardian|date=16 May 2008|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2008/may/16/drugsinsport.athletics|access-date=16 August 2008|location=London|archive-date=1 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170301094114/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2008/may/16/drugsinsport.athletics|url-status=live}}</ref>

Banned from competition, Chambers sought alternative commercial outlets for his athletic prowess. He had an unsuccessful American football try-out with the San Francisco 49ers, hoping to emulate Renaldo Nehemiah.<ref>{{cite news|last=Fordyce|first=Tom|title=Where now for Dwain?|work=BBC Sport|date=24 February 2004|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/athletics/3500679.stm|access-date=18 July 2008|archive-date=13 March 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070313034025/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/athletics/3500679.stm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Hart|first=Simon|title=Chambers pursues old path to gridiron glory|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|date=20 March 2004|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/athletics/2375311/Chambers-pursues-old-path-to-gridiron-glory.html|access-date=18 July 2008|location=London|archive-date=19 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180619061204/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/athletics/2375311/Chambers-pursues-old-path-to-gridiron-glory.html|url-status=live}}</ref> He drifted on to the celebrity circuit, appearing on British reality television series ''Hell's Kitchen'' in May 2004. However, Chambers had little interest in the show and soon chose to leave.<ref>{{cite news|title=Stars walk out of Hell's Kitchen|work=BBC News|date=24 May 2004|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/3750529.stm|access-date=18 July 2008|archive-date=13 April 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080413183856/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/3750529.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> He appeared in neither sporting events nor television programmes for 18 months.<ref name=IAAFBio/>

=== Return to athletics === Chambers began training in Jamaica in late 2005 in preparation for the athletics season. He faced new challengers in the 100 m as Maurice Greene was no longer a dominant force and Jamaican Asafa Powell was the new world record holder. Chambers began working with Glen Mills, coach of Caribbean sprinters Kim Collins and Usain Bolt.<ref name=Gutter/> The drug suspension had expired in November but he needed to pass four mandatory drugs tests in order to gain clearance to compete with the IAAF. His comeback was further delayed as he gave an interview with the BBC revealing he began using drugs at the beginning of 2002, not since August 2003, as he had claimed to the IAAF.<ref>{{cite news|title=No track return yet for Chambers|work=BBC Sport|date=16 February 2006|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/athletics/4718788.stm|access-date=24 August 2008|archive-date=27 June 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060627002523/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/athletics/4718788.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> After further disclosure (that took away his European 100 m gold medal and invalidated his European record of 9.87 s),<ref name=Null>{{cite news|title=Chambers to lose medal and record|work=BBC Sport|date=26 June 2008|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/athletics/5118698.stm|access-date=18 July 2008|archive-date=21 January 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070121144246/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/athletics/5118698.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> Chambers was cleared to compete on 10 June 2006, although his return was dependent on an agreement to repay prize money he won while using banned substances.<ref>{{cite news|title=Chambers free to run in Gateshead|work=BBC Sport|date=10 June 2006|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/athletics/5058204.stm|access-date=18 July 2008|archive-date=8 October 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071008141547/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/athletics/5058204.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> He returned to competition on 11 June 2006 at the British Grand Prix and took third in 10.07 s,<ref>{{cite news|last=Mackay|first=Duncan|title=Chambers close to Gateshead return|newspaper=The Guardian|date=8 June 2008|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2006/jun/08/athletics.gdnsport3|access-date=18 July 2008|location=London|archive-date=1 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170301094142/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2006/jun/08/athletics.gdnsport3|url-status=live}}</ref> behind Asafa Powell who equalled his own world record.<ref name=GP2006>{{cite web|last=Brown|first=Matthew|title=Sun shines on Powell's World record equalling 9.77 in Gateshead – IAAF World Athletics Tour|publisher=IAAF|date=11 June 2008|url=http://www.iaaf.org/news/newsid=34956.html|access-date=9 March 2009|archive-date=13 March 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090313183310/http://www.iaaf.org/news/newsid=34956.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Chambers stated that his training regime with Bolt had helped him make a strong opening performance despite a long absence from competition.<ref>{{cite web|last=Campbell |first=Joel |title=Chambers: Bolt will set new record |publisher=The Voice |date=11 August 2008 |url=http://www.voice-online.co.uk/content.php?show=14080 |access-date=8 September 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081210110605/http://www.voice-online.co.uk/content.php?show=14080 |archive-date=10 December 2008 }}</ref> The result placed Chambers at the top of the British rankings and was the second fastest time by a European sprinter in 2006.<ref name=factfile/><ref>{{cite news|last=Holt|first=Sarah|title=Devonish welcomes Chambers return|work=BBC Sport|date=13 June 2006|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/athletics/5076976.stm|access-date=18 July 2008|archive-date=9 May 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070509201947/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/athletics/5076976.stm|url-status=live}}</ref>

{{quote box|quote=''Ironically, with the exception of the 9.87 s he clocked to equal Linford Christie's British record in Paris in 2002, Chambers was a consistently quicker athlete before he moved to San Francisco that year and became entangled in the drugs net spun by Victor Conte, and the Bay Area Lab Co-operative.''<ref name=OneStep/>|source='''Simon Turnbull on Chambers' drug use''' from ''The Independent''|width=35%|align=left}}

Chambers lamented the effects of his drug use and noted the irony that the drugs did not do much to improve the consistency of his performances.<ref name=OneStep/> On his return to international competition his times were significantly worse than he achieved prior to drug use: in the 100 m final at the 2006 European Championships, Chambers ran a sub-par 10.24 s and finished in fifth place.<ref>{{cite web|title=European Championships results – Day One|publisher=Sporting Life|date=7 August 2006|url=http://www.sportinglife.com/athletics/europeanchampionships/results/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=results_update/06/08/07/ATHLETICS_European_Results.html|access-date=18 July 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605013803/http://www.sportinglife.com/athletics/europeanchampionships/results/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=results_update%2F06%2F08%2F07%2FATHLETICS_European_Results.html|archive-date=5 June 2011}}</ref><ref name=EuroChamp2006>{{cite web|title=European Championships results – Day Two|publisher=Sporting Life|date=8 August 2008|url=http://www.sportinglife.com/athletics/europeanchampionships/results/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=results_update/06/08/08/ATHLETICS_Gothenburg_Results.html|access-date=18 July 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605013915/http://www.sportinglife.com/athletics/europeanchampionships/results/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=results_update%2F06%2F08%2F08%2FATHLETICS_Gothenburg_Results.html|archive-date=5 June 2011}}</ref> He was part of the gold medal-winning British 4 × 100 m team,<ref name=ArjSingh>{{cite news|last=Singh|first=Arj|title=Background: Dwain Chambers – From positive test to Olympic trial|newspaper=The Guardian|date=18 July 2008|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2008/jul/18/athletics.drugsinsport?gusrc=rss&feed=sport|access-date=18 July 2008|location=London|archive-date=1 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170301093000/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2008/jul/18/athletics.drugsinsport?gusrc=rss&feed=sport|url-status=live}}</ref> but Darren Campbell, who was angry about losing his 2002 and 2003 relay medals due to Chambers' ban, refused to join the team in a celebratory lap.<ref name=campbellfeud>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/athletics/4788833.stm|title=Campbell row clouds GB relay gold|work=BBC Sport|date=13 August 2006|access-date=19 July 2008|archive-date=14 March 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070314213259/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/athletics/4788833.stm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Campbell angry at losing medals|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/athletics/4790367.stm|work=BBC Sport|date=14 August 2006|access-date=12 February 2008|archive-date=26 August 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060826154526/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/athletics/4790367.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> After the competition, Chambers again expressed an interest in switching to American football, and completed a week-long NFL Europa training camp in Cologne that November.<ref>{{cite news|last=Austin|first=Simon|title=Can Chambers make it in NFL?|work=BBC Sport|date=14 December 2006|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/athletics/6173661.stm|access-date=18 July 2008|archive-date=24 January 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070124003744/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/athletics/6173661.stm|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== American Football === Chambers signed for BAFA National Leagues side Farnham Knights in 2005,<ref>{{Cite web|url = https://www.getsurrey.co.uk/sport/other-sport/gridiron-dwain-eyes-knight-shift-4847276|title = Gridiron: Dwain eyes Knight shift|date = 11 February 2005|access-date = 11 November 2020|archive-date = 25 October 2020|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20201025115231/https://www.getsurrey.co.uk/sport/other-sport/gridiron-dwain-eyes-knight-shift-4847276|url-status = live}}</ref> After attending a series of NFL Europe training camps,<ref>{{cite news|last=Austin|first=Simon|title=Chambers given another NFL chance|work=BBC Sport|date=4 January 2007|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/athletics/6230463.stm|access-date=18 July 2008|archive-date=25 January 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070125021358/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/athletics/6230463.stm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Chambers joins NFL training camp|work=BBC Sport|date=9 November 2006|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/athletics/6125496.stm|access-date=18 July 2008|archive-date=8 February 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080208174149/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/athletics/6125496.stm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Chambers among Brits selected|publisher=nfluk.com|url=http://www.nfluk.com/news-display.php?id=2300|access-date=18 July 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071223000148/http://www.nfluk.com/news-display.php?id=2300|archive-date=23 December 2007 }}</ref> he gained a contract with German NFL Europa side Hamburg Sea Devils in March 2007.<ref>{{cite news|title=Chambers secures NFL Europa spot|work=BBC Sport|date=10 March 2007|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/athletics/6438279.stm|access-date=18 July 2008|archive-date=14 July 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070714051058/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/athletics/6438279.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> Following news that Chambers was receiving new, legal nutritional supplements from Victor Conte, the Hamburg Sea Devils confirmed that Chambers would undergo a vigorous drug testing regime.<ref>{{cite news|last=Lyon|first=Sam|title=Chambers to have extra dope tests|work=BBC Sport|date=30 May 2007|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/american_football/6703453.stm|access-date=18 July 2008|archive-date=9 June 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070609013627/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/american_football/6703453.stm|url-status=live}}</ref>

{{quote box|quote='''When asked whether a clean athlete was likely to beat one using drugs in an Olympic final:''' ''"It's possible, but the person that's taken drugs has to be having a real bad day. That's what I believe".''<ref name=PinsentInterview/>|source='''BBC interview with Matthew Pinsent'''|width=30%|align=right}}

Chambers reflected on drug use in athletics in an interview with Olympic gold medallist Sir Matthew Pinsent for the BBC's ''Inside Sport'' programme.<ref>{{cite news|last=Pinsent|first=Matthew|author-link=Matthew Pinsent|title=Pinsent on Chambers|work=BBC Sport|date=28 May 2007|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/tv_and_radio/inside_sport/6693105.stm|access-date=18 July 2008|archive-date=19 August 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070819194824/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tv_and_radio/inside_sport/6693105.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> Chambers claimed there would always be athletes using performance-enhancing drugs because drug testers did not keep pace with advances in science and that athletes who took drugs had an immense advantage over those who remained clean.<ref name=PinsentInterview>{{cite news|title=Disgraced Chambers in drugs claim|work=BBC Sport|date=28 May 2007|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/athletics/6697417.stm|access-date=2008-07-18|archive-date=9 June 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070609050804/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/athletics/6697417.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> Chambers was roundly condemned for his comments in the interview by both the press and his former colleagues in the athletics world, including Sir Steve Redgrave, Mo Farah,<ref>{{cite news|title=Redgrave rejects Chambers claims|work=BBC Sport|date=29 May 2007|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/athletics/6701919.stm|access-date=18 July 2008|archive-date=1 June 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070601204828/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/athletics/6701919.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> and Sebastian Coe.<ref>{{cite news|title=Coe dismisses sprinter Chambers's drug claims |publisher=Agence France-Presse |date=June 2007 |url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_kmafp/is_200706/ai_n19190754 |access-date=18 July 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090314120650/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_kmafp/is_200706/ai_n19190754 |archive-date=14 March 2009 }}</ref>

Chambers' American football career was brought to a standstill when a stress fracture injury on his right foot ruled him out for the season.<ref>{{cite news|title=Injury ends Chambers' NFL season|work=BBC Sport|date=1 June 2007|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/american_football/6713207.stm|access-date=18 July 2008|archive-date=25 August 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070825063913/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/american_football/6713207.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> The situation worsened further when the NFL closed the European league on 29 June 2007 leaving Chambers jobless.<ref>{{cite news|title=NFL opts to close European league|work=BBC Sport|date=29 June 2007|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/american_football/6254412.stm|access-date=18 July 2008|archive-date=7 March 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090307093257/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/american_football/6254412.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> He returned as a TV personality on reality television show ''Cirque de Celebrité'' in October but was unpopular with the public and subsequently voted off.<ref>{{cite news|last=Williams|first=Rachel|title=Out of the running: disgraced Chambers loses court battle for a ticket to Beijing|newspaper=The Guardian|date=19 July 2008|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2008/jul/19/athletics.olympicgames2008|access-date=1 August 2008|location=London|archive-date=1 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170301094232/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2008/jul/19/athletics.olympicgames2008|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Athletics again and rugby league=== Following the collapse of the NFL Europa franchise, Chambers made a second return to athletics in early 2008. Competing in the 60 m indoor final at the Birmingham Games in February 2008, he finished with a time of 6.60 s, setting a new meeting record.<ref name=6.60/> UK Athletics chief executive Niels de Vos initially banned Chambers from competing in the trials for the 2008 IAAF World Indoor Championships but, after the IAAF overruled the decision, Chambers won the event and selection.<ref>{{cite news|last=Broadbent|first=Rick|title=Dwain Chambers stopped in tracks as Niels de Vos begins cleansing process|newspaper=The Times|date=4 February 2008|url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/more_sport/athletics/article3309028.ece|access-date=18 July 2008|location=London|archive-date=30 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211030002347/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Ingle|first=Sean|title='Unanimous' in their opposition but Chambers is selected regardless|newspaper=The Guardian|date=12 February 2008|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2008/feb/12/athletics.drugsinsport|access-date=18 July 2008|location=London|archive-date=1 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170301093114/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2008/feb/12/athletics.drugsinsport|url-status=live}}</ref> UK Athletics stated that committee was "unanimous in its desire not to select Dwain" but were forced to by the selection criteria, saying they would have preferred to send younger athletes eligible for the Olympics.<ref>{{cite news|title=GB name Chambers in Worlds squad|work=BBC Sport|date=12 February 2008|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/athletics/7240294.stm|access-date=18 July 2008|archive-date=15 February 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080215112023/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/athletics/7240294.stm|url-status=live}}</ref>

thumb|left|Chambers racing against British competition in 2008.

At the World Indoor Championships 60 metres final, Chambers won a silver medal and recorded a new personal best of 6.54 s to take second behind Olusoji Fasuba.<ref name=6.60>{{cite news|title=Chambers shines on track return|work=BBC Sport|date=3 February 2008|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/athletics/7215428.stm|access-date=19 July 2008|archive-date=1 February 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080201140520/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/athletics/7215428.stm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Chambers claims 60 m silver|newspaper=The Guardian|date=7 March 2008|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2008/mar/07/athletics.barneyronay|access-date=18 July 2008|location=London|first=Barney|last=Ronay|archive-date=1 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170301093401/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2008/mar/07/athletics.barneyronay|url-status=live}}</ref> The performance did not sway opinion: Chambers continued to encounter extensive criticism within athletics. Promoters did not invite him to key athletics events, Eddie Kulukundis – who had supported Chambers earlier in his career – refused to sponsor the sprinter,<ref>{{cite news|last=Longmore |first=Andrew |title=Athletics: Interview Sir Eddie Kulukundis – Gifts from Sir with love |newspaper=The Independent |date=5 September 1999 |url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4158/is_19990905/ai_n14249521 |access-date=26 August 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090314030049/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4158/is_19990905/ai_n14249521 |archive-date=14 March 2009 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Funding Blow For Chambers|publisher=Sporting Life|date=25 February 2008|url=http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/25022008/4/funding-blow-chambers.html|access-date=26 August 2008 }}{{dead link|date=May 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Chambers hints at quitting sport|work=BBC Sport|date=8 March 2008|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/athletics/7284567.stm|access-date=18 July 2008|archive-date=10 March 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080310232837/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/athletics/7284567.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> and the British Olympic Association (BOA), prevented him from competing in the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. To return to the track Chambers had to rely on the money he received from his partner, Leonie Daley, a civil servant whom he met at the Miss Jamaica UK competition.<ref>{{cite news|last=Gallagher|first=Brendan|title=Dwain Chambers: I almost wrecked my life|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|date=5 March 2008|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/drugsinsport/2299249/Dwain-Chambers-I-almost-wrecked-my-life.html|access-date=18 July 2008|location=London|archive-date=17 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180917181544/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/drugsinsport/2299249/Dwain-Chambers-I-almost-wrecked-my-life.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The couple now had a child, a boy named Skye who was born in September 2005.<ref name=Family>{{cite news|last=Mackay|first=Duncan|title=Coming Clean|newspaper=The Observer|date=9 March 2008|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2008/mar/09/athletics.news|access-date=19 July 2008|location=London|archive-date=30 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161230003502/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2008/mar/09/athletics.news|url-status=live}}</ref> He amassed a selection of cuttings about his fall from grace and the BALCO Scandal in order to show his son the risks of drug abuse.<ref name=OneStep>{{cite news|last=Turnbull |first=Simon |title=Athletics: One step at a time for repentant Chambers |newspaper=The Independent |date=28 June 2006 |url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4158/is_20060628/ai_n16501447 |access-date=16 August 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090314030435/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4158/is_20060628/ai_n16501447 |archive-date=14 March 2009 }}</ref>

Chambers tried to fashion himself as a living example of the dangers of drugs, sporting a T-shirt in Valencia with an anti-drugs slogan of "Just Say No!".<ref>{{cite news|title=Chambers wins silver in GB return|work=BBC Sport|date=7 March 2008|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/athletics/7281945.stm|access-date=16 August 2008|archive-date=16 March 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080316231516/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/athletics/7281945.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> He also expressed regret about previous comments suggesting that drug use was necessary to reach the upper echelons of athletics and set about presenting himself as a changed, clean athlete – devoid of the bravado that had marked his earlier career.<ref name=BigInterview>{{cite news|last=MacKay|first=Duncan|title=Coming Clean|newspaper=The Guardian|date=9 March 2008|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2008/mar/09/athletics.news|access-date=16 August 2008|location=London|archive-date=30 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161230003502/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2008/mar/09/athletics.news|url-status=live}}</ref> Chambers' reinvention was met with a mixed reaction and the acceptance of a proven drug user on the track was not palatable to some.<ref>{{cite news|last=Rowbottom|first=Mike|title=Chambers hits form to find a silver lining|newspaper=The Independent|date=8 March 2008|url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4158/is_20080308/ai_n24405781/pg_1?tag=artBody;col1|access-date=16 August 2008}} {{dead link|date=June 2010|bot=DASHBot}}</ref> Dame Kelly Holmes, and parts of the British press called for Chambers to retire from the Great Britain athletics team.<ref>{{cite news|title=Drugs cheat Dwain Chambers included in British squad|newspaper=The Times|date=12 February 2008|url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/more_sport/athletics/article3357898.ece|access-date=16 August 2008|location=London|archive-date=30 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211030002345/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Chambers' return to athletics took an unusual turn when he confirmed in March 2008 that he had joined English rugby league team Castleford Tigers on trial;<ref>{{cite news|last=Aikman|first=Richard|title=Chambers joins Castleford on trial|newspaper=The Guardian|date=31 March 2008|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2008/mar/31/rugbyleague|access-date=13 June 2008|location=London|archive-date=1 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170301093056/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2008/mar/31/rugbyleague|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Chambers set for Castleford talks">{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_league/super_league/castleford/7319868.stm|title=Chambers set for Castleford talks|work=BBC Sport|date=28 March 2008|access-date=29 March 2008|archive-date=2 April 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080402040231/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/super_league/castleford/7319868.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> a move which surprised and angered in equal measure given the fact he had never played the sport before.<ref>{{cite news|last=Patrick|first=Hamish|title=Odd move for Dwain Chambers|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|date=30 March 2008|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyleague/2295826/Odd-move-for-Dwain-Chambers.html|access-date=18 July 2008|location=London|archive-date=16 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181216040528/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyleague/2295826/Odd-move-for-Dwain-Chambers.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Switch will be 'difficult' for Dwain">{{cite web|url=http://www.sportinglife.com/rugbyleague/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=rleague/08/04/01/RUGBYL_Chambers_Campbell.html|title=Switch will be 'difficult' for Dwain|publisher=Sporting Life|date=31 March 2008|access-date=2 April 2008|archive-date=29 June 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629211731/http://www.sportinglife.com/rugbyleague/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=rleague%2F08%2F04%2F01%2FRUGBYL_Chambers_Campbell.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Schofield calls for Chambers u-turn">{{cite web|url=http://www.sportinglife.com/rugbyleague/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=rleague/08/03/31/RUGBYL_Castleford_Schofield.html|title=Schofield calls for Chambers u-turn|publisher=Sporting Life|date=31 March 2008|access-date=2 April 2008|archive-date=29 June 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629211755/http://www.sportinglife.com/rugbyleague/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=rleague%2F08%2F03%2F31%2FRUGBYL_Castleford_Schofield.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The Rugby Football League did not object to the move, in spite of his drug-damaged reputation, but stated much improvement was needed prior to any appearance for Castleford in the Super League competition.<ref name="RFL clears the way for Chambers">{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/super_league/castleford/7320474.stm|title=RFL clears the way for Chambers|work=BBC Sport|date=29 March 2008|access-date=29 March 2008|archive-date=3 April 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080403034354/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/super_league/castleford/7320474.stm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Chambers 'needs league education'">{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_league/7321283.stm|title=Chambers 'needs league education'|work=BBC Sport|date=30 March 2008|access-date=30 March 2008|archive-date=3 April 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080403034349/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/7321283.stm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Matterson avoids Chambers issue">{{cite web|url=http://www.sportinglife.com/rugbyleague/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=rleague/08/03/30/RUGBYL_Bradford_Quotes.html|title=Matterson avoids Chambers issue|publisher=Sporting Life|date=30 March 2008|access-date=2 April 2008|archive-date=29 June 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629211802/http://www.sportinglife.com/rugbyleague/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=rleague%2F08%2F03%2F30%2FRUGBYL_Bradford_Quotes.html|url-status=live}}</ref> At a rugby press conference, Chambers expressed a desire to compete in the Beijing Olympics, casting doubt on his dedication to his new career.<ref name="Chambers still keen on Olympics">{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_league/super_league/castleford/7322515.stm|title=Chambers still keen on Olympics|work=BBC Sport|date=31 March 2008|access-date=31 March 2008|archive-date=3 April 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080403131951/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/super_league/castleford/7322515.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> Chambers officially registered as a player with the Rugby Football League, and Martin Offiah declared that he was prepared to mentor Chambers.<ref name="Chambers registered with Tigers">{{cite web|url=http://www.sportinglife.com/rugbyleague/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=rleague/08/04/01/RUGBYL_Castleford_Chambers.html|title=Chambers registered with Tigers|publisher=Sporting Life|date=1 April 2008|access-date=1 April 2008|archive-date=29 June 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629211813/http://www.sportinglife.com/rugbyleague/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=rleague%2F08%2F04%2F01%2FRUGBYL_Castleford_Chambers.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Offiah prepared to mentor Chambers">{{cite web|url=http://www.sportinglife.com/rugbyleague/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=rleague/08/04/01/RUGBYL_Castleford_Nightlead.html|title=Offiah prepared to mentor Chambers|publisher=Sporting Life|date=1 April 2008|access-date=1 April 2008|archive-date=29 June 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629211824/http://www.sportinglife.com/rugbyleague/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=rleague%2F08%2F04%2F01%2FRUGBYL_Castleford_Nightlead.html|url-status=live}}</ref> He completed training with the Castleford Tigers first-team squad and made his début in a reserve game against York City Knights,<ref>{{cite news|last=Wilson|first=Andy|title=Chambers full of spirit on début but unlikely to keep on winging it|newspaper=The Guardian|date=28 April 2008|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2008/apr/28/superleague.castleford|access-date=21 July 2008|location=London|archive-date=1 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170301093518/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2008/apr/28/superleague.castleford|url-status=live}}</ref> but Castleford announced that they would not be offering him a contract.<ref>{{cite news|last=Wilson|first=Andy|title=Castleford admit no chance of Chambers making Sunday bow|newspaper=The Guardian|date=3 April 2008|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2008/apr/03/rugbyleague.castleford|access-date=18 July 2008|location=London|archive-date=1 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170301094017/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2008/apr/03/rugbyleague.castleford|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/super_league/castleford/7385928.stm|title=Chambers not wanted by Castleford|date=6 May 2008|work=BBC Sport|access-date=18 July 2008|archive-date=9 May 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080509182921/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/super_league/castleford/7385928.stm|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== High Court challenge === right|thumb|Chambers (second from left), competing in the 2008 Olympic Trials, Birmingham In May 2008 Chambers announced that he was challenging his Olympic ban at the High Court of Justice.<ref>{{cite news|title=Chambers starts Beijing challenge|work=BBC Sport|date=16 May 2008|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/olympics/athletics/7402836.stm|access-date=18 July 2008|first=Matt|last=Slater|archive-date=30 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211030002348/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/olympics/athletics/7402836.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> Chambers returned to sprinting in June and, in his first 100 m race since August 2006, he won the Papaflessia meet with a time of 10.26 s.<ref>{{cite news|title=Chambers wins 100 meters in Greece, vows to compete in Beijing|newspaper=International Herald Tribune|date=4 June 2008|url=http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/06/04/sports/ath4.php|access-date=18 July 2008|archive-date=14 March 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090314015913/http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/06/04/sports/ath4.php|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Chambers wins ahead of ban appeal|work=BBC Sport|date=4 June 2008|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/olympics/athletics/7434344.stm|access-date=18 July 2008|archive-date=30 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211030002423/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/olympics/athletics/7434344.stm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Kalyviotis |first=Giannis |title=Papaflessia – Kalamata 2008 |publisher="Kalamata Athletics Association" (AFDK) |url=http://www.afdk.gr/papaflessia/en/news_full.php?id=46 |access-date=18 July 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081208180530/http://www.afdk.gr/papaflessia/en/news_full.php?id=46 |archive-date=8 December 2008 }}</ref> He achieved the "A" Standard for the 2008 Beijing Olympics in June and won the British Olympic trials in ten seconds flat in July.<ref>{{cite news|title=Chambers well inside Olympic mark|work=BBC Sport|date=28 June 2008|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/olympics/athletics/7479348.stm|access-date=18 July 2008|archive-date=17 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180917181443/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/olympics/athletics/7479348.stm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=Trials2008>{{cite news|title=National Championships and Olympic Trials|work=BBC Sport|date=12 July 2008|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/olympics/athletics/7499321.stm|access-date=18 July 2008|archive-date=30 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211030002350/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/olympics/athletics/7499321.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> Public opinion on an Olympic appearance remained split.<ref>{{cite news|last=Broadbent|first=Rick|title=Should Dwain Chambers be banned from the Olympics?|newspaper=The Times|date=30 June 2008|url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/more_sport/athletics/article4238184.ece|access-date=16 August 2008|location=London|archive-date=7 September 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080907144816/http://timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/more_sport/athletics/article4238184.ece|url-status=dead}}</ref>

His performance at the Olympic trials was in vain as Mr. Justice Mackay upheld the BOA ban in the High Court of Justice and stated that a right to work was not sufficient reason to remove it. The BOA chairman, Lord Moynihan, was satisfied with the outcome, stating that those abusing drugs did not deserve to represent Great Britain at the Olympics. However, he lamented that a sprinter of Chambers' calibre had in effect excluded himself from the competition.<ref name=LordM>{{cite news|title=Dwain Chambers fails in bid to compete at Olympics|newspaper=The Times|date=18 July 2008|url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/more_sport/athletics/article4356384.ece?token=null&offset=0&page=1|access-date=11 August 2008|location=London|archive-date=30 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211030002454/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Howard |first=Stephen |title=Drugs cheat Dwain Chambers misses out on Beijing Olympics after court failure |newspaper=The Daily Record |date=19 July 2008 |url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/uk-world-news/2008/07/19/drugs-cheat-dwain-chambers-misses-out-on-beijing-olympics-after-court-failure-86908-20654270/ |access-date=11 August 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080801202756/http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/uk-world-news/2008/07/19/drugs-cheat-dwain-chambers-misses-out-on-beijing-olympics-after-court-failure-86908-20654270/ |archive-date=1 August 2008 }}</ref>

{{quote box|quote=''It is a matter of regret that Dwain Chambers, an athlete with such undoubted talent…should by his own actions put himself out of the running to shine on the Olympic stage in Beijing.''<ref name=LordM/>|source='''Lord Moynihan, chairman of the BOA, on Chambers' Olympic ban'''|width=30%|align=left}}

The effort of the High Court challenge and the Olympic ban took its toll on Chambers,<ref>{{cite video|people=Dwain Chambers speaking to Garry Richardson and Patrick Collins|date=12 October 2008|title=In-depth interview: Dwain Chambers|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/athletics/7666038.stm|publisher=BBC Radio 5 Live|access-date=5 November 2008|time=1.51|quote="The huge part was actually dealing with it at the High Court, we fought hard to get there and that's what broke me. Then I had time to sit and reflect and get over the nightmare that occurred: not being able to go"}}</ref> but he had no intention to retire and set an appearance in the 2012 London Olympics as his main goal, aiming to prove he could perform without the use of drugs.<ref>{{cite news|title=Chambers sets London 2012 target|work=BBC Sport|date=19 July 2008|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/olympics/athletics/7515700.stm|access-date=11 August 2008|archive-date=30 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211030002501/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/olympics/athletics/7515700.stm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Sprinter Dwain Chambers won't retire despite court loss|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=20 July 2008|url=http://www.latimes.com/sports/olympics/la-sp-newswire20-2008jul20,0,1337357.story|access-date=11 August 2008|archive-date=30 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211030002428/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2008-jul-20-sp-newswire20-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Lord Moynihan objected to this, saying it would sully the reputation of both the Great Britain athletics team and the London Olympics.<ref>{{cite news|last=Knight|first=Tom|title=Olympics: Dwain Chambers 'would taint London Games'|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|date=30 July 2008|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/olympics/2419143/Olympics-Dwain-Chambers-%27would-taint-London-Games%27.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130422064920/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/olympics/2419143/Olympics-Dwain-Chambers-%27would-taint-London-Games%27.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=22 April 2013|access-date=11 August 2008}}</ref> In late 2008 Chambers signed a book deal, covering his athletics career and drug usage,<ref>{{cite news|title=Cover Stories: Dwain Chambers' autobiography; Itchy Coo; Amazon;|newspaper=The Independent|date=8 August 2008|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/features/cover-stories-dwain-chambers-autobiography-itchy-coo-amazon-887844.html|access-date=11 August 2008|location=London|archive-date=1 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170301180820/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/features/cover-stories-dwain-chambers-autobiography-itchy-coo-amazon-887844.html|url-status=live}}</ref> and stated his desire to become a sprint coach when his track career was finished. He had his second child, a boy named Rocco, that November.<ref>McRae, Donald (20 January 2009). [https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2009/jan/20/dwayne-chambers-usain-bolt-athletics-interview-donald-mcrae Dwain Chambers sees chink of light after depths of despair] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170301094136/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2009/jan/20/dwayne-chambers-usain-bolt-athletics-interview-donald-mcrae |date=1 March 2017 }}. ''The Guardian''. Retrieved on 26 January 2009.</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Phillips|first=Michael|title=Steroids would have made a gold taste bittersweet – Chambers|newspaper=The Guardian|date=13 October 2008|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2008/oct/13/athletics-drugsinsport|access-date=5 November 2008|location=London|archive-date=1 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170301093111/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2008/oct/13/athletics-drugsinsport|url-status=live}}</ref>

Charles van Commenee's appointment as head coach of UK Athletics brought a change of approach towards Chambers as both the new coach and Niels De Vos welcomed him back to compete internationally.<ref>{{cite web|title=Athletics: Chambers opens up|publisher=Sky Sports|date=22 October 2008|url=http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,12993_4371349,00.html|access-date=5 November 2008|archive-date=13 March 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090313194750/http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,12993_4371349,00.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Phillips|first=Michael|title=Van Commenee offers to 'welcome back' Chambers|newspaper=The Guardian|date=24 October 2008|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2008/sep/24/athletics|access-date=5 November 2008|location=London|archive-date=1 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170301093156/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2008/sep/24/athletics|url-status=live}}</ref> The pair judged that he had served his sentence – van Commenee was especially complimentary, stating: "He is a likeable guy and a damned fine athlete".<ref name=WelcomeRun>{{cite news|title=Chambers 'welcome to run for GB'|work=BBC Sport|date=29 October 2008|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/athletics/7631774.stm|access-date=5 November 2008|archive-date=24 September 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080924140004/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/athletics/7631774.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> That month Chambers appeared at a "Tackling Doping in Sport" conference and told of the damage drugs had caused to his career, health, and finances.<ref>{{cite web|last=Chambers glad he was caught|first=Niamh|title=O'Mahony|publisher=Setanta Sports|date=23 October 2008|url=http://www.setantasports.com/en/Sport/News/Other-sports/2008/10/23/Athletics-Chambers-glad-he-was-caught/?facets/sport-space/great-britain-locale/other-sports|access-date=5 November 2008 }}{{dead link|date=May 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> The Olympic ban remained in place, however, and London 2012 chairman Sebastian Coe said: "I am clear cut on the Chambers case – I don't think there is room for drugs cheats in sport".<ref name=WelcomeRun/>

=== ''Race Against Me'' === Chambers ceased legal action to overturn his Olympic ban and instead aimed to finish his career on a high.<ref name=DCStart>{{cite web|last=Hammer|first=Chris|title=DC grateful for fresh start|publisher=Sky Sports|date=22 November 2008|url=http://www.skysports.com/story/0,,15234_4515083,00.html|access-date=17 December 2008|archive-date=13 March 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090313233608/http://www.skysports.com/story/0,,15234_4515083,00.html|url-status=live}}</ref> He intensively studied the technique of Usain Bolt to improve his own times, seeing Bolt as the new generation's Maurice Greene.<ref name=DCStart/><ref>{{cite web|last=Hammer|first=Chris|title=Chambers sets up 'Project Bolt'|publisher=Sky Sports|date=22 November 2008|url=http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,12992_4525481,00.html|access-date=17 December 2008|archive-date=12 January 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090112031053/http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,12992_4525481,00.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Though he was still banned from Euromeetings-organised events, he set a new personal best of 6.52 s in the 60 m at the Birmingham Indoor Grand Prix,<ref>[https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/athletics/7860846.stm Chambers triumphs in Birmingham] . BBC Sport (31 January 2009). Retrieved on 2 February 2009.</ref> then became the UK Indoor Champion, equalling Mike Rodgers' world leading time of 6.51 s.<ref>{{cite web|last=Brown|first=Matthew|title=Chambers equals 6.51 world lead in Sheffield – UK indoor champs day 1|publisher=IAAF|date=14 February 2009|url=http://www.iaaf.org/news/kind=100/newsid=49317.html|access-date=14 February 2009|archive-date=17 February 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090217035719/http://www.iaaf.org/news/kind=100/newsid=49317.html|url-status=live}}</ref> At the 2009 European Indoor Championships he broke Ronald Pognon's European 60 m record with a 6.42 s run in the semi-finals, then won the gold medal with a time of 6.46 s in the final.<ref>{{cite news|title=Chambers storms to gold in Turin|work=BBC Sport|date=8 March 2009|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/athletics/7931339.stm|access-date=8 March 2009|archive-date=11 March 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090311040353/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/athletics/7931339.stm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Record-breaking Chambers in final|work=BBC Sport|date=7 March 2009|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/athletics/7929963.stm|access-date=7 March 2009|archive-date=10 March 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090310112553/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/athletics/7929963.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> British head coach van Commenee stated that Chambers had undergone vigorous testing and that his performance sent "a message that you can win and break European records in the proper way."<ref name=Euro60>Turnbull, Simon (9 March 2009). [https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/athletics/chambers-strikes-gold-on-way-to-project-bolt-1640189.html Chambers strikes gold on way to Project Bolt] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170301094612/http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/athletics/chambers-strikes-gold-on-way-to-project-bolt-1640189.html |date=1 March 2017 }}. ''The Independent''. Retrieved on 9 March 2009.</ref>

[[File:Dwain Chambers 07032009 Turin.JPG|thumb|right|upright|Chambers competing in the 2009 European Team Championships]]

The record-breaking performance brought him an invite from the Berlin IAAF Golden League meet,<ref>[https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/athletics/7963404.stm Chambers invited to Dutch meeting] . BBC Sport (25 March 2009). Retrieved on 1 April 2009.</ref><ref>[https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/athletics/7935009.stm Chambers welcome at Berlin event] . BBC Sport (10 March 2009). Retrieved on 1 April 2009.</ref> although organising group Euromeetings condemned the move.<ref>Slater, Matt (21 March 2009). [https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/athletics/7938590.stm Berlin panned for Chambers invite] . BBC Sport. Retrieved on 1 April 2009.</ref> Revelations in Chambers' autobiography ''Race Against Me'' brought further controversy as the book had in-depth accounts of his past drug abuse and claimed drug use remained rife in athletics, estimating that half the American Olympic athletes in Beijing had used illegal substances.<ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2009/mar/23/dwain-chambers-drugs-uk-sport Chambers to sign statement in support of drugs revelations] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170129103816/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2009/mar/23/dwain-chambers-drugs-uk-sport |date=29 January 2017 }}. ''The Guardian'' (23 March 2009). Retrieved on 1 April 2009.</ref> Chambers signed a statement with UK Sport, verifying that he believed the information to be true, which brought a close to the organisation's inquiries into his drug use.<ref>[https://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5jt5tAXydr0ah_JvEbhv_xD9ZApZw British sprinter Dwain Chambers to sign sworn statement over drug use]{{dead link|date=June 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}. The Canadian Press (23 March 2009). Retrieved on 1 April 2009.</ref> An IAAF investigation concluded that the book demanded no further action on their part.<ref>[https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/athletics/7957348.stm Chambers escapes IAAF punishment] . BBC Sport (21 March 2009). Retrieved on 1 April 2009.</ref> Olympic gold medallist and anti-drugs campaigner Ed Moses gave his support, saying that Chambers admissions provided a useful insight, but that athletes and administrators remained in denial about the high levels of doping in athletics.<ref>Broadbent, Rick (2 April 2009). [http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/more_sport/athletics/article6018381.ece Dwain Chambers gets support from Ed Moses] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211030002410/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/ |date=30 October 2021 }}. ''The Times''. Retrieved on 23 April 2009.</ref>

Invites to Golden League meets never materialised, but he continued to run at smaller events. He ran a European leading time of 10.06 seconds at Papaflessia in Greece,<ref>[http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/sports/html/20090530T190000-0500_152528_OBS_CHAMBERS_CAPTURES____M_IN_GREECE.asp Chambers captures 100m in Greece] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090606113424/http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/sports/html/20090530T190000-0500_152528_OBS_CHAMBERS_CAPTURES____M_IN_GREECE.asp|date=6 June 2009 }}. ''Jamaica Observer'' (31 May 2009). Retrieved on 22 July 2009.</ref> and won the 100 m and 200 m races at the 2009 European Team Championships.<ref>[https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/athletics/8111956.stm Britain claim third in Portugal] . BBC Sport (21 June 2009). Retrieved on 22 July 2009.</ref> He was the fastest entrant at the national championships but 2008 runner-up Simeon Williamson won the final by some distance.<ref>Hart, Simon (11 July 2009). [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/athletics/5805744/Simeon-Williamson-becomes-Britains-top-sprinter.html Simeon Williamson becomes Britain's top sprinter] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170301155537/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/athletics/5805744/Simeon-Williamson-becomes-Britains-top-sprinter.html |date=1 March 2017 }}. ''The Daily Telegraph''. Retrieved on 22 July 2009.</ref> The result took Chambers by surprise and he said that limited opportunities to race had made him complacent.<ref>[http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/11072009/58/chambers-defeat-raises-questions.html Chambers defeat raises questions] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211030002429/https://consent.yahoo.com/v2/collectConsent?sessionId=2_cc-session_c2f10c70-4b92-4d84-867d-645d68aa4c91 |date=30 October 2021 }}. Eurosport (11 July 2009). Retrieved on 22 July 2009.</ref> He later withdrew from the 200 m race citing exhaustion.<ref>Kessel, Anna (11 July 2009). [https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2009/jul/11/williamson-dwain-chambers-world-trials-british-championship Simeon Williamson humiliates Dwain Chambers to become British sprint champion] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170301093207/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2009/jul/11/williamson-dwain-chambers-world-trials-british-championship |date=1 March 2017 }}. ''The Guardian''. Retrieved on 22 July 2009.</ref><ref>Turnbull, Simon (12 July 2009). [https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/athletics/williamson-bolts-in-ahead-of-chambers-1742626.html Williamson bolts in ahead of Chambers] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170301093003/http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/athletics/williamson-bolts-in-ahead-of-chambers-1742626.html |date=1 March 2017 }}. ''The Independent''. Retrieved on 17 July 2009.</ref><ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2009/jul/12/dwain-chambers-200m-world-championships-trials Exhausted Dwain Chambers pulls out of 200m at world trials] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170301093953/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2009/jul/12/dwain-chambers-200m-world-championships-trials |date=1 March 2017 }}. ''The Guardian''. Retrieved on 22 July 2009.</ref>

At the World Championships Chambers finished sixth in 100 m final with a season's best of 10.00 seconds. He was the only sprinter from outside the Americas in the final and was some distance behind Bolt who ran a world record of 9.58 seconds. However, he was pleased with his performance and said he was happy just to be involved in the fastest 100 m race ever.<ref>Broadbent, Rick (17 August 2009). [http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/more_sport/athletics/article6798492.ece Chambers just happy to appear in the fastest final in history] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211030002459/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/ |date=30 October 2021 }}. ''The Times''. Retrieved on 20 August 2009.</ref> He pulled out of the 200 m with a calf injury and called an end to his season.<ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2009/aug/17/dwain-chambers-world-championships-berlin Dwain Chambers pulls out of 200 metres in Berlin]. ''The Guardian'' (2009-08-17). Retrieved 2025-11-17.</ref>

=== World indoor champion === thumb|Chambers with his world 60 m gold medal The following year, he began by focusing on the 2010 IAAF World Indoor Championships, and he won the 60 m at the UK trials in 6.50 seconds (a time only he had bettered in the previous two seasons).<ref>Brown, Matthew (15 February 2010). [http://www.iaaf.org/WIC10/news/kind=100/newsid=55564.html Chambers clocks 6.50 to highlight UK championships] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100217230029/http://www.iaaf.org/WIC10/news/kind=100/newsid=55564.html |date=17 February 2010 }}. IAAF. Retrieved on 15 February 2010.</ref> His closest competitor, Ivory Williams, received a ban for marijuana usage, leaving Chambers as a strong favourite.<ref>[https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/athletics/8561117.stm Ivory Williams ban boosts gold hopes for Dwain Chambers ] . BBC Sport (10 March 2010). Retrieved on 17 March 2010.</ref> He was the fastest in all rounds of World 60 m competition, and surged ahead of Mike Rodgers in the final to win his first world title with a time of 6.48 seconds.<ref>Landells, Steve (13 March 2010). [http://www.iaaf.org/WIC10/news/kind=108/newsid=55973.html EVENT REPORT – MEN's 60 Metres Final] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100316043709/http://www.iaaf.org/WIC10/news/kind=108/newsid=55973.html |date=16 March 2010 }}. IAAF. Retrieved on 17 March 2010.</ref> Banned from the 2010 Commonwealth Games, he set his sights on making the team for the 2010 European Athletics Championships.<ref>[https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/athletics/8566786.stm World Indoor champion Dwain Chambers upbeat on invites] . BBC Sport (14 March 2010). Retrieved on 17 March 2010.</ref>

thumb|Chambers (shown in the semi-final) left the European Championships without a medal

At the start of the outdoor season he had wins in Maringá in Brazil and at the Cezmi Or Memorial.<ref>Biscayart, Eduardo (31 May 2010). [http://www.iaaf.org/news/kind=100/newsid=56912.html Moore joins sub-11 club in Maringá] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100605055806/http://www.iaaf.org/news/kind%3D100/newsid%3D56912.html |date=5 June 2010 }}. IAAF. Retrieved on 31 May 2010.</ref><ref>Mills, Steven (13 June 2010). [http://www.athletics-weekly.com/article.php?id=1425 Chambers wins in Istanbul]{{dead link|date=May 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}. ''Athletics Weekly''. Retrieved on 21 June 2010.</ref> He beat Christophe Lemaitre to win the 100 m at the 2010 European Team Championships, helping Great Britain to second place in the tournament and recording 9.99 seconds – the first sub-10 time by a European athlete in almost four years.<ref>Minshull, Phil (20 June 2010). [http://www.iaaf.org/news/kind=100/newsid=57096.html Chambers flies to 9.99, Russia hold pole position – European Team Champs, Day 1] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100623015113/http://www.iaaf.org/news/kind=100/newsid=57096.html |date=23 June 2010 }}. IAAF. Retrieved on 21 June 2010.</ref> Lemaitre and Chambers were seen as the only gold medal contenders for the 100 m final at the European Athletics Championships, but the event defied expectations in terms of times and placings. The Frenchman won in 10.11 seconds into a headwind while a tight finish between the four following athletes (all 10.18) saw Chambers finish fifth.<ref>[http://www.european-athletics.org/20th-european-athletics-championships-2010/golden-boy-lemaitre-lives-his-dream-in-barcelona.html Golden boy Lemaitre lives his dream in Barcelona] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100731142811/http://www.european-athletics.org/20th-european-athletics-championships-2010/golden-boy-lemaitre-lives-his-dream-in-barcelona.html|date=31 July 2010 }}. European Athletics (29 July 2010). Retrieved on 31 July 2010.</ref><ref>Kessel, Anna (28 July 2010). [https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2010/jul/28/mark-lewis-francis-dwain-chambers Mark Lewis-Francis ecstatic after capturing 100m silver medal] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170301094131/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2010/jul/28/mark-lewis-francis-dwain-chambers |date=1 March 2017 }}. ''The Guardian''. Retrieved on 31 July 2010.</ref>

=== 2011–2012: World and Olympic semi-finalist === The start of his 2011 season saw him take a fourth consecutive national title over 60 m with a European-leading time.<ref>Brown, Matthew (13 February 2011). [http://www.iaaf.org/news/kind=100/newsid=59300.html Chambers takes fourth 60m title, teenager Williams takes her first – UK indoor championships wrap] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110515042703/http://www.iaaf.org/news/kind=100/newsid=59300.html |date=15 May 2011 }}. IAAF. Retrieved on 29 May 2011.</ref> At the 2011 European Athletics Indoor Championships the following month he was beaten to the line by Obikwelu, although he was pleased with the silver medal as he had changed his training to focus towards the 100 m for that season.<ref>[http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/07032011/58/chambers-pipped-line-clitheroe-takes-gold.html Chambers pipped on the line, Clitheroe takes gold] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110311003440/http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/07032011/58/chambers-pipped-line-clitheroe-takes-gold.html |date=11 March 2011 }}. Eurosport/Yahoo (6 March 2011). Retrieved on 29 May 2011.</ref> Four straight wins on the Brazilian Athletics Tour came at the beginning of his outdoor season in May, including a season's best of 10.01 seconds,<ref>Biscayart, Eduardo (27 May 2011). [http://www.iaaf.org/IWC11/news/newsid=60108.html Walker and Murer's world leads top Rio results– IAAF World Challenge] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110530004431/http://www.iaaf.org/IWC11/news/newsid=60108.html |date=30 May 2011 }}. IAAF. Retrieved on 29 May 2011.</ref> and he took his fifth national title at the British trials.<ref>Meagher, Gerard (30 July 2011). [https://archive.today/20130421011501/http://www.morethanthegames.co.uk/athletics/3015122-chambers-wins-chased-all-way-young-gun-aikines-aryeetey Chambers wins but is chased all the way by young gun Aikines Aryeetey]. More than the Games. Retrieved on 19 August 2012.</ref> At the 2011 World Championships he reached the 100 m semi-finals but fell foul of the IAAF's new false start rule: he twitched in his blocks and was immediately disqualified.<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/athletics/14699437 World Athletics 2011: Dwain Chambers disqualified from 100m] . BBC Sport (28 August 2011). Retrieved on 19 August 2012.</ref>

thumb|left|Chambers (left) with the 2011 European 60 m medalists Lemaitre and Obikwelu

He won his fifth national title in the 60 m in 2012 with a season's best of 6.58 m.<ref>Brown, Matthew (13 February 2012). [http://www.iaaf.org/Mini/WIC12/News/NewsDetail.aspx?id=63562 Ennis double win the highlight in Sheffield – UK champs wrap] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022020538/http://www.iaaf.org/Mini/WIC12/News/NewsDetail.aspx?id=63562 |date=22 October 2012 }}. IAAF. Retrieved on 19 August 2012.</ref> A third consecutive podium finish came at the 2012 IAAF World Indoor Championships, where he pipped Trell Kimmons to the bronze medal.<ref>Ramsak, Bob (10 March 2012). [http://www.iaaf.org/Mini/wic12/News/kind=108/NewsDetail.aspx?id=64097 EVENT REPORT – Men's 60 Metres – Final] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120312093402/http://www.iaaf.org/mini/wic12/News/kind=108/NewsDetail.aspx?id=64097 |date=12 March 2012 }}. IAAF. Retrieved on 19 August 2012.</ref> Chambers was given the chance to return to the Olympic stage after the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) decided in favour of the World Anti-Doping Agency over the validity of British Olympic Association's (BOA) Olympic ban by-law. CAS agreed that the law was non-compliant with the World Anti-Doping Code, to which the BOA was signatory due to its connection with the International Olympic Committee.<ref>Palmer, Justin (30 April 2012). [https://www.reuters.com/article/olympics-doping-britain-wada-idUSL4E8FU8MO20120430 Olympics-CAS rule against BOA life bans no surprise – WADA chief] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151019120437/http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/04/30/olympics-doping-britain-wada-idUSL4E8FU8MO20120430 |date=19 October 2015 }}. Reuters. Retrieved on 19 August 2012.</ref> Chambers ran a 150 m-straight best of 15.27 seconds at the Great City Games in May then won the 100 m Olympic trial race, holding off emerging teenager Adam Gemili.<ref>[https://archive.today/20130105130006/http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/news/chambers-pleased-first-run-since-201913289.html Chambers pleased with first run since ruling]. Eurosport (30 May 2012). Retrieved on 19 August 2012.</ref><ref>Fordyce, Tom (23 June 2012). [https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/olympics/18557820 London 2012: Dwain Chambers wins 100m at UK Trials] . BBC Sport. Retrieved on 19 August 2012.</ref> His absence from the major track circuit came to an end with a run at the Diamond League London Grand Prix, although he did not achieve the Olympic "A" standard time there.<ref>Hart, Simon (30 June 2012). [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/olympics/athletics/9399315/London-Grand-Prix-Perri-Shakes-Drayton-becomes-second-fastest-British-woman-in-400m-hurdles.html London Grand Prix: Perri Shakes-Drayton becomes second fastest British woman in 400m hurdles] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180917181522/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/olympics/athletics/9399315/London-Grand-Prix-Perri-Shakes-Drayton-becomes-second-fastest-British-woman-in-400m-hurdles.html |date=17 September 2018 }}. ''The Daily Telegraph''. Retrieved on 19 August 2012.</ref>

Chambers was named in the British squad for the 2012 London Olympics after the selectors took into account his trials win and his times from the previous year. Given the abrupt turnaround in his fortunes, he said: "For me representing my country in an Olympics is a privilege that should never be taken for granted. To be given the opportunity to do so in my home town has been a dream that at times has seemed very distant and is now a reality."<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/olympics/18685730 London 2012: Dwain Chambers picked for GB athletics squad] . BBC Sport (3 July 2012). Retrieved on 19 August 2012.</ref> He returned to the British relay team at the 2012 European Athletics Championships after a six-year absence but a botched baton change saw the team disqualified.<ref>Hart, Simon (1 July 2012). [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/olympics/9368783/London-2012-Olympics-Dwain-Chambers-and-Christian-Malcolm-drop-clanger-as-Britain-throw-away-4x100m-final.html London 2012 Olympics: Dwain Chambers and Christian Malcolm drop clanger as Britain throw away 4x100m final] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180917181405/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/olympics/9368783/London-2012-Olympics-Dwain-Chambers-and-Christian-Malcolm-drop-clanger-as-Britain-throw-away-4x100m-final.html |date=17 September 2018 }}. ''The Daily Telegraph''. Retrieved on 19 August 2012.</ref> At the Olympics he won his 100 metres heat in a season's best of 10.02 seconds, with a legal 2.0 m/s following wind, in his first Olympic race in twelve years.<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/olympics/18911634 Usain Bolt eases to victory to reach Olympic 100m semi-finals] . BBC Sport (4 August 2012). Retrieved on 19 August 2012.</ref><ref>Long, Mark (4 August 2012). [http://www.nbcolympics.com/news-blogs/track-and-field/after-12-year-hiatus-dwain-chambers-returns-to-olympics.html After 12-year hiatus, Dwain Chambers returns to Olympics ] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120817230754/http://www.nbcolympics.com/news-blogs/track-and-field/after-12-year-hiatus-dwain-chambers-returns-to-olympics.html |date=17 August 2012 }}. NBC Olympics. Retrieved on 19 August 2012.</ref> He was drawn in the same semi-final as Usain Bolt but Chambers' run of 10.05 seconds for fourth meant he did not make the final.<ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2012/aug/05/usain-bolt Usain Bolt and big guns all qualify for men's 100m Olympic final] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161113194322/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2012/aug/05/usain-bolt |date=13 November 2016 }}. ''The Guardian'' (5 August 2012). Retrieved on 19 August 2012.</ref> His Olympics came to an end in the 4 × 100 metres relay heats as the British team made an illegal baton exchange.<ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2012/aug/10/london-2012-great-britain-disqualified-relay London 2012: Great Britain men disqualified in Olympic 4x100m relay] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170305035307/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2012/aug/10/london-2012-great-britain-disqualified-relay |date=5 March 2017 }}. ''The Guardian'' (10 August 2012). Retrieved on 19 August 2012.</ref>

=== Later career === Chambers began his 2013 season with a 60 m win in Glasgow with a run of 6.58 seconds.<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/athletics/21214803 Dwain Chambers sprints to victory at Glasgow International] . BBC Sport. Retrieved on 6 January 2013.</ref> A back injury affected his preparations for the 2013 European Indoor Championships, where he was eliminated in the heats.<ref>Kessel, Anna (1 March 2013). [https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2013/mar/01/dwain-chambers-european-indoor-championships Dwain Chambers crashes out in heats at European Indoor Championships] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170305034652/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2013/mar/01/dwain-chambers-european-indoor-championships |date=5 March 2017 }}. ''The Guardian''. Retrieved on 9 March 2013.</ref> Outdoors, he won his fourth consecutive British Championship title, running 10.04.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.thepowerof10.info/athletes/profile.aspx?athleteid=31816 |title=Athlete Profile: Dwain Chambers |website=www.thepowerof10.info |access-date=30 October 2021 |archive-date=15 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210715000506/https://www.thepowerof10.info/athletes/profile.aspx?athleteid=31816 |url-status=live }}</ref> A month later at the World Championships in Moscow, he ran 10.14 in his heat to reach the semi-finals, where he was eliminated running 10.15.<ref name=IAAFBio/> He anchored the British men's 4 × 100 m relay team and initially appeared to finish third, though the team was disqualified due to an invalid baton change between Harry Aikines-Aryeetey and James Ellington.<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/athletics/23748244 World Athletics 2013: Mixed fortunes for GB relay teams]. BBC Sport (2013-08-18). Retrieved 2025-11-17.</ref> He ended the year with second place finishes at the Rieti Challenge and Great North City Games.<ref name=IAAFBio/>

Chambers final year of international competition came in 2014. He finished second in the 60 m at the British Indoor Championships, before going on to finish sixth in the 60 m final at the World Indoor Championships in a time of 6.52 s. This was the fastest time he had run the 60 m in since 2010.<ref name=IAAFBio/> In his first three 100 m races of the outdoor season he failed to break 10.20, before hitting form during the British Championships. Going into the event, he was only ranked 10th in the UK, but he won the 100 m final, defeating Chijindu Ujah, who had broken 10 seconds three weeks earlier. Chambers' victory guaranteed him selection for the European Championships as his winning time was 10.12 secs, inside the European qualifying mark of 10.20. This was his fifth consecutive win at the British Championships.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thepowerof10.info/rankings/rankinglist.aspx?event=100&agegroup=ALL&sex=M&year=2014|title=Ranking List|website=www.thepowerof10.info|access-date=30 October 2021|archive-date=5 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210505040621/https://www.thepowerof10.info/rankings/rankinglist.aspx?event=100&agegroup=ALL&sex=M&year=2014|url-status=live}}</ref> Chambers won his final medal in international competition at the 2014 IAAF World Relays in May, anchoring a team of Kilty, Harry Aikines-Aryeetey and James Ellington to a bronze.<ref>Riach, James (2014-05-26). [https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2014/may/26/great-britain-win-bronze-silver-world-relays Great Britain win bronze and silver at World Relays]. ''The Guardian''. Retrieved 2025-11-17.</ref> He won a fifth straight national title at the 2014 British Athletics Championships. Initially selected for the relay at the 2014 Commonwealth Games, he pulled out to focus on what would be his final international appearance at the 2014 European Championships in August.<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/commonwealth-games/28425061 Glasgow 2014: Dwain Chambers pulls out of Commonwealth Games]. BBC Sport (2014-07-22). Retrieved 2025-11-17.</ref> Chambers missed out on a final individual medal by 0.02 seconds, finishing fourth in the 100 m final in 10.24, while his teammates Dasaolu and Aikines-Aryeetey reached the podium.<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/av/athletics/28777659 European Championships: James Dasaolu sprints to 100m gold]. BBC Sport (2014-08-13). Retrieved 2025-11-17.</ref>

Chambers attended just two meets in 2015. He had a more active 2016, winning his heat and semi-final in the 60 m at the British Indoor Championships but only managed seventh in the final. At the outdoor national championships in June, he made the final of the 100 m in which he ran a heavily wind assisted (+3.0 m/s) 10.11, which once again saw him finish seventh. In 2017, Chambers came third at the national indoor championships in 6.62 but was not selected for the 2017 European Indoor Championships. He could only reach the national semi-finals outdoors in July in the 100 m,<ref name=IAAFBio/> and announced his retirement the following month.<ref>Rowbottom, Mike (2017-08-03). [https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1053599/chambers-and-wariner-announce-track-and-field-retirements Chambers and Wariner announce track and field retirements]. Inside the Games. Retrieved 2025-11-17.</ref>

In December 2018, at the age of 40 Chambers returned at a low-key meet in London.<ref name=IAAFBio/> He then entered the national indoor championships in February 2019.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/athletics/47141466|title=Chambers, 40, returns at British Indoors|work=BBC Sport |access-date=23 February 2020|archive-date=23 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200223211803/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/athletics/47141466|url-status=live}}</ref> He progressed from his heat, but was disqualified after a false start in the semi-final. In February 2020, Chambers once again returned to the British Indoor Championships. He finished last in his semi-final after coming through the heats.<ref name=IAAFBio/>

Chambers entered the 100 m at the British Championships in 2021 and 2022 but failed to progress from the heats on both occasions.<ref name=IAAFBio/> After skipping 2023, he set a new world record for the M45 Indoor 60 m with a time of 6.81 s at an open meet in Lee Valley in 2024.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://world-masters-athletics.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Indoor-Men-2024.pdf | title=HOME }}</ref><ref>Wilson, Jeremy (2024-01-30). [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/athletics/2024/01/30/dwain-chambers-aged-45-to-race-uk-indoor-championships/ Dwain Chambers, 45, to race at UK Indoor Championships ]. ''Daily Telegraph''. Retrieved 2025-11-17.</ref> He went on to compete at the UK Indoor Championships in February 2024, reaching the semi-finals. He ran at two events in 2025, finishing the 60 metres in under seven seconds in both.<ref name=IAAFBio/>

=== Outside Athletics === As well as competitive athletics, Chambers founded Chambers for Sport in 2009, offering group and 1-2-1 sprint coaching at the Lee Valley Athletics Centre in London. He founded the Dwain Chambers Performance Academy, which aims to provide all round coaching for the next generation of sporting stars and is open for young athletes between 9 and 21.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.chambersforsport.com/dcpa/ | title=DCPA | Dwain Chambers Performance Academy }}</ref>

He is also a public speaker and gave his first TedX in October 2023.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tJrho1yhB-o&t=181s | title=Taking Accountability for Our Actions | Dwain Chambers | TEDxChigwell | website=YouTube | date=3 January 2024 }}</ref>

== Statistics ==  Chambers' performances at tournaments in the 100 metres event make him one of the fastest European sprinters in the history of recorded athletics. His personal best of 9.97 s set at the 1999 Seville World Championships places him, as of 2025, in the top 20 fastest Europeans in the 100 m<ref>[https://www.european-athletics.com/home/historical-data/top-lists 100 metres men's Lists]. European Athletics. Retrieved 2025-11-17.</ref> Chambers' annulled 9.87 s finish at the Paris Grand Prix in 2002 would have made him the joint fastest British 100 m sprinter with Christie and the joint second fastest European in the event.<ref name=Top100>{{cite web|title=100 Metres All Time|publisher=IAAF|date=9 August 2008|url=http://www.iaaf.org/statistics/toplists/inout=O/age=N/season=0/sex=M/all=y/legal=A/disc=100/detail.htmx|access-date=11 August 2008|archive-date=10 June 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100610212014/http://www.iaaf.org/statistics/toplists/inout=O/age=N/season=0/sex=M/all=y/legal=A/disc=100/detail.htmx|url-status=live}}</ref><ref group=x name=x/>

Amongst his British contemporaries Chambers ranks top with two 9.97 s finishes; the first in 1999 in Seville, Spain and the second in 2001 in Edmonton, Canada. Compatriot Mark Lewis-Francis also scored a personal best of 9.97 s at the Edmonton World Championships. Great Britain teammate Jason Gardener's personal best of 9.98 s falls just short of Chambers'. None of his British contemporaries broke the ten second barrier on more than one occasion; Chambers has done so five times.<ref name=Top100/>

Chambers is the only athlete ever to run sub-10s 100 m in three consecutive decades (1990s, 2000s and 2010s)<ref>[https://www.sportresolutions.com/news/rise-fall-and-redemption-the-dwain-chambers-story Rise, Fall, and Redemption: The Dwain Chambers Story]. Sport Resolutions. Retrieved 2025-11-17.</ref> and, as of 2025, is the ninth-fastest Briton of all time over 100 m.<ref>[https://www.thepowerof10.info/rankings/rankinglist.aspx?event=100&agegroup=ALL&sex=M&alltime=y 100 Men Overall All Time to 10.49 (Auto timed only to 10.49)]. Power of 10. Retrieved 2025-11-17.</ref>

His personal best of 6.42 in the 60 metres set in 2009 was a European record for over a decade, with Marcell Jacobs beating that by one hundredth of a second in 2022. As of 2025, it remains the second fastest mark by a European,<ref>[https://www.european-athletics.com/home/historical-data/top-lists 60 metres Men's Lists]. European Athletics. Retrieved 2025-11-17.</ref> and within the top ten fastest globally.<ref>[https://worldathletics.org/records/all-time-toplists/sprints/60-metres/indoor/men/senior 60 metres men]. World Athletics. Retrieved 2025-11-17.</ref>

=== Personal bests === {|class=wikitable |- !Event !Time !Venue !Date |- |50 metres |5.69 seconds |Liévin, France |13 February 2000 |- |60 metres |6.42 seconds |Turin, Italy |7 March 2009 |- |100 metres |9.97 seconds (+0.2 m/s wind) |Seville, Spain |22 August 1999 |- |200 metres |20.31 seconds (−0.6 m/s wind) |London, England |22 July 2001 |} * Excludes times nullified due to Chambers' positive drugs tests and subsequent ban – All information taken from IAAF profile.<ref name=IAAFbio/>

=== International competition record === {|{{AchievementTable|Event=yes}} |- !colspan="6"|Representing {{GBR2}} and {{ENG}} |- |rowspan=2|1995 |rowspan=2|European Junior Championships |rowspan=2|Nyíregyháza, Hungary |bgcolor=gold|1st |100 m |10.41 |- |bgcolor="gold"|1st |4 × 100 m relay |39.43 |- |rowspan=2|1996 |rowspan=2|World Junior Championships |rowspan=2|Sydney, Australia |5th |100 m |10.47 (wind: +1.0 m/s) |- |7th |4 × 100 m relay |40.32 |- |rowspan=2|1997 |rowspan=2|European Junior Championships |rowspan=2|Ljubljana, Slovenia |bgcolor=gold|1st |100 m |10.06 '''WJR''' |- |bgcolor="gold"|1st |4 × 100 m relay |39.62 |- |rowspan=7|1998 |European Indoor Championships |Valencia, Spain |5th (semis) |60 m |6.66 |- |rowspan=2|European Championships |rowspan=2|Budapest, Hungary |bgcolor="silver"|2nd |100 m |10.10 |- |DNF |4 × 100 m relay |— |- |rowspan=2|IAAF World Cup |rowspan=2|Johannesburg, South Africa |bgcolor="cc9966"|3rd |100 m |10.03 |- |bgcolor="gold"|1st |4 × 100 m relay |38.09 |- |rowspan=2|Commonwealth Games |rowspan=2|Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia |5th (semis) |100 m |10.18 |- |bgcolor="gold"|1st |4 × 100 m relay |38.20 |- |rowspan=3|1999 |European Cup |Paris, France |bgcolor="gold"|1st |100 m |10.21 |- |rowspan=2|World Championships |rowspan=2|Seville, Spain |bgcolor="cc9966"|3rd |100 m |9.97 '''PB''' |- |bgcolor="silver"|2nd |4 × 100 m relay |37.73 '''AR''' |- |rowspan=2|2000 |rowspan=2|Olympic Games |rowspan=2|Sydney, Australia |4th |100 m |10.08 |- |DQ |4 × 100 m relay |— |- |rowspan=4|2001 |rowspan=3|World Championships |rowspan=3|Edmonton, Canada |4th† |100 m |9.99 |- |5th (q-finals) |200 m |20.60 |- |DNF |4 × 100 m relay |— |- |Goodwill Games |Brisbane, Australia |bgcolor="gold"|1st |100 m |10.11 |- |rowspan=3 bgcolor=#F5A9D0|2002 |Commonwealth Games |Manchester, England |8th |100 m |11.19 |- |rowspan=2|European Championships |rowspan=2|Munich, Germany |1st (DQ) |100 m | |- |1st (DQ) |4 × 100 m relay | |- |rowspan=4|2006 |European Cup |Málaga, Spain |bgcolor=silver|2nd |100 m |10.19 |- |rowspan=2|European Championships |rowspan=2|Gothenburg, Sweden |7th |100 m |10.24 |- |bgcolor="gold"|1st |4 × 100 m relay |38.91 |- |IAAF World Cup |Johannesburg, South Africa |bgcolor=silver|2nd |4 × 100 m relay |38.45 |- |2008 |World Indoor Championships |Valencia, Spain |bgcolor="silver"|2nd |60 m |6.54 |- |rowspan=4|2009 |European Indoor Championships |Torino, Italy |bgcolor="gold"|1st |60 m |6.46 |- |rowspan=2|European Team Championships |rowspan=2|Leiria, Portugal |bgcolor="gold"|1st |100 m |10.07 |- |bgcolor="gold"|1st |200 m |20.55 |- |rowspan=1|World Championships |rowspan=1|Berlin, Germany |6th |100 m |10.00 |- |rowspan=3|2010 |IAAF World Indoor Championships |Doha, Qatar |bgcolor="gold"|1st |60 m |6.48 |- |European Team Championships |Bergen, Norway |bgcolor="gold"|1st |100 m |9.99 |- |European Championships |Barcelona, Spain |5th |100 m |10.18 |- |rowspan=2|2011 |European Indoor Championships |Paris, France |bgcolor="silver"|2nd |60 m |6.54 |- |World Championships |Daegu, South Korea |DQ (semis) |100 m |— |- |rowspan=4|2012 |World Indoor Championships |Istanbul, Turkey |bgcolor="cc9966"|3rd |60 m |6.60 |- |European Championships |Helsinki, Finland |DQ |4 × 100 m relay |— |- |rowspan=2|Olympic Games |rowspan=2|London |4th (semis) |100 m |10.05 |- |DQ |4 × 100 m relay |— |- |rowspan=3|2013 |European Indoor Championships |Gothenburg, Sweden |5th (heats) |60 m |6.78 |- |rowspan=2|World Championships |rowspan=2|Moscow, Russia |6th (semis) |100 m |10.15 |- |DQ |4 × 100 m relay |— |- |rowspan=3|2014 |World Indoor Championships |Sopot, Poland |6th |60 m |6.53 |- |European Championships |Zürich, Switzerland |4th |100 m |10.24 |- |World Relays |Nassau, Bahamas |bgcolor="cc9966"|3rd |4 × 100 m relay |38.19 |- |} * †Amended from fifth after Tim Montgomery tested positive for banned substances * Excludes results nullified due to Chambers' positive drugs tests and subsequent ban.

== See also == * James Dasaolu * List of doping cases in athletics

== Notes == <references group=x/>

== References == {{reflist|30em}}

==External links== {{Commons category|Dwain Chambers}} * {{Power of 10 name|new_id=0b352891-94f5-4618-aa39-ed8666e1613a|old_id=31816}} * [http://www.iaaf.org/news/Kind=512/newsId=35110.html Chambers' annulled performances and revised standings] * {{Team GB}} * {{Olympics.com}} * {{Olympedia}} * {{InterSportStats}}

{{s-start}} {{s-ach|rec}} {{succession box|before=Ronald Pognon|title=Men's 60 m European Indoor Record Holder|years=7 March 2009 – Present |after=''Incumbent''}} {{s-ach|aw}} {{succession box|title=Men's European Athlete of the Year|before=André Bucher|after= Christian Olsson|years=2002}} {{s-ach|rec}} {{S-bef|before=Stanley Floyd}} {{S-ttl|title=Men's 100 m world junior record holder|years=24 May 1980 – 24 August 2003}} {{S-aft|after=Darrel Brown}} {{s-end}} {{Footer World Indoor Champions 60m Men}} {{Footer European Champions 4x100 m Men}} {{Footer European Indoor Champions 60m Men}} {{Footer Commonwealth Champions 4x100 m Men|1998}} {{Footer IAAF World Cup Champions 4x100 m Men}} {{British Athletics Championships men's 100 metres champions}} {{British Indoor Athletics Championships men's 60 metres champions}} {{European Athlete of the Year (men)}} {{Authority control}}

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