Controversial sprinter Dwain Chambers today was included in the Great Britain team for the 2009 World Championships in Berlin. The European Indoor 60m Champion’s inclusion was not a certainty due to his failure to overcome Simeon Williamson at the British Championships at Birmingham. His performance was a glitch in his summer plans branded ‘Project Bolt’. Chambers had however already achieved the ‘A’ qualification standard for both the 100m and 200m and therefore was available for selection. The decision to take him to Berlin was not considered easy and UK Athletics chief Charles Van Commenee, choosing his first major championship squad will certainly come under criticism from some analysts. The 31 year-old has joined Williamson and Tyrone Edgar in a 60 strong squad aiming to create a stepping stone towards London 2012.
'British Sprinters Lazy'
Even though Chambers lost in Birmingham his form throughout the 2009 season has been encouraging. After being banned from competing in top-level Golden League athletics events by the IAAF he has been competing at low key meetings across Europe. He successfully competed for the Great Britain squad at the European Team Championships, becoming the best sprinter in Europe with a time of 10.07, only to be trumped by Williamson who ran 10.05 into a very strong head wind. The rivalry between Britain’s top sprinters is healthy with no hostility about Chambers’ THG past and whether he should be representing his country. Williamson missed the indoor season while training in Jamaica over the winter with former World Record holder Asafa Powell, who then saw fit to make derogatory comments branding British sprinters 'lazy'. In stark contrast Chambers stormed to European success in the 3rd fastest 60m time ever, only 0.03 seconds behind Maurice Greene’s 6.39 seconds. This performance raised anticipation towards this summer’s World Championships with some bookmakers rating Chambers has a firm contender for the 100m crown; however following the setbacks in Birmingham the British sprinters will do well to reach the final
The men’s sprint is not the only chance Britain has of medalling in Berlin. Olympic Silver medallist Phillips Idowu should finish in the top three in the Triple Jump after being selected alongside injury-plagued Nathan Douglas and Larry Achike. Britain’s biggest hope to bring back gold will be Jessica Ennis in the Heptathlon following huge improvements in her events throughout 2009.
British Track Team Aiming for Better Results
Olympic and Reigning World Champion Christine Ohuruogu is also selected in the squad even though she is yet to have reached her peak for the 2009 season and will face stiff competition from the leading 400m runner of the year Sanya Richards. Former World Champion and World Record Holder Paula Radcliffe is struggling to be fit for the start of the marathon after undergoing surgery to remove a bunion from her foot. The 35 year-old missed the Beijing Olympics but remains hopeful she will be able to take to the start line for the Championships, which run from 15-23 August.
Also heading to the German capital are European Indoor 3,000m gold medallist Mo Farah, Olympic high jump silver medallist Germaine Mason, Olympic finalists Lisa Dobriskey, Martyn Rooney and Goldie Sayers and British pole vault record holder Kate Dennison.
