Published>Sun, Mar 14 10 09:27 AM
On an indoor track far from Britain, life turned a little brighter for sprinter Dwain Chambers on Saturday.
Seven years after a two-year doping ban sent the Londoner's life into a tailspin, victory came his way in the 60 metres at the world indoor championships.
"That was probably the hardest six seconds of my life," Chambers said after claiming his first senior global title in 6.48 seconds, the year's fastest time.
"But I am just glad I stuck at it and did the best I could," the 31-year-old said. "I'm just grateful that I was able to do everyone proud."
He had abandoned the sport, turning to American football in Europe and rugby in 2007 and 2008 before deciding to give sprinting another go.
"A lot can change and it has changed for the better," said Chambers, who has renounced his drugs-tainted past. "I'm just happy man, really happy."
"Getting back to do what I do best, running, is what I enjoy," he said. "Wins like this boost my confidence again."
There will be a little more cash in his pockets, too.
Individual winners at the world championships earn $40,000 plus a gold medal.
A portion of Chambers' payday will go to the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) to help repay prize money he earned while competing on banned drugs.
The title is more important than the money, he said, "but obviously the prize money is going to be a great bonus".
Life is not all rosy, though.
Chambers is still banned for life from representing Britain in the Olympics and organisers of most European meetings and on the new worldwide Diamond League circuit are unlikely to invite him or others who have served major doping bans.
"We'll see what happens," Chambers said earlier this week. "They (organisers) usually want people who run fast."
Source: Web Search
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