Two runners that have served suspensions want to prove that they are able to compete successfully without intake of steroids. They desire to compete at the 2012 London Olympics. Justin Gatlin, an American sprinter, and Dwain Chambers, a British sprinter, want to display that they may win, competing clean.
They have already demonstrated that they are worthy to be called “Olympic champions”. While Justin Gatlin has obtained the gold medal, Dwain Chambers has won the bronze medal in the 60 meter sprint a1t the 2012 World Indoor Athletics Championship in Turkey.
Justin Gatlin was invited to professional sports again by the USA Track and Field and the US Olympic Committee. These 2 agencies reported about their attitude to this runner, supporting him.
As for Dwain Chambers, it is unclear yet whether he will be permitted to take part in the Olympics. He was not so supported, as Justin Gatlin was. Chambers experienced cold response from the British Olympic Association (BOA). This sprinter’s comeback to sports induced the decision of the BOA to ban sportspersons that have been caught using steroids from the Olympics forever.
The World Anti-Doping Agency has warned the BOA that this rule didn’t meet criteria the WADA laws connected with banned drugs. The BOA decided to fight against WADA and to prevent participation of Dwain Chambers for the United Kingdom in the Olympics. The BOA has taken the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS).
Thus, while Gatlin was supported by the US Olympic Committee, Chambers’ case was not pleasant.
Justin Gatlin has never admitted that he had utilized steroids knowingly. But Chambers took the full responsibility for intake of steroids.
The American runner tested positive for testosterone in April 2006. This athlete’s world record was annulled after the results of testing had been pronounced. At the beginning this sprinter was banned for 8 years. Later his suspension was reduced to 4 years because of cooperation with the USADA.
Justin Gatlin didn’t acknowledge that he had taken steroids knowingly. He blamed his masseuse for application of a testosterone cream during a massage.
On the contrary, Chambers acknowledged that he had applied steroids and taken the total responsibility for the violation of steroid rules. He was banned for 2 years. This athlete forfeited all medals he received since 2002.
Various attitudes to these runners have shown the difference between perceptions of sportspersons who have applied steroids by anti-doping officials in the USA and in the UK.