Collins frustrated by Chambers inclusion

6:02am Thursday 28th February 2008

National performance director Dave Collins admits he will have mixed emotions if drugs cheat Dwain Chambers succeeds at the World Indoor Championships after the Great Britain and Northern Ireland team was confirmed for the event in Valencia next month.

Chambers was automatically selected for the GB squad - against UK Athletics' wishes - after winning the 60metres at the trials earlier this month. And yesterday the former European 100m champion was joined by Simeon Williamson, who finished second in Sheffield.

When 29-year-old Chambers was selected the governing body made it quite clear they had done so begrudgingly - although the Londoner appears to have widespread backing among fellow athletes including Williamson who said ''Dwain has served his time''.

Now Collins admits he would have mixed feelings should Chambers be successful in Spain with the Belgrave Harrier banned from competing in any future Olympics.

''I watched Dwain at the trials and it was a very, very good performance,'' Collins said.

''It just added to my frustration to see this potential in a situation where it is wasted because of the decisions he took.

''I will be personally pleased for Dwain if he wins a medal, if he does well.

''I've already expressed my opinion that what I would rather be doing is use this competition for younger, up and coming, committed athletes to use in the preparation for the Olympics because that is what my programme is about.

''So if he medals I'll be pleased on a personal level - tinged with a lot of frustration and disappointment.''

When questioned about any effect Chambers' presence may have on the team, Collins added: ''For some individuals it will be a challenge, for some it won't.

''To an extent it was ever thus. There will be people on the team you do get on with, you don't get on with, you like, you dislike. People just get their heads down.

''Generally athletes are pretty supportive of each other when they are competing and when all is said done it is a Great Britain and Northern Ireland team at the World Championships.''

Collins, who has had some contact with Chambers, reiterated the athlete was training alone.

Williamson has been rewarded for a superb season which has seen him lower his personal best to 6.60seconds before finishing second in Sheffield but ahead of European Indoor silver medallist Craig Pickering.

Further additions to the squad include European 5,000m silver medallist Mo Farah and Morpeth's Nick McCormick in the 3,000m.

The Great Britain & Northern Ireland team:

Men - 60m: Dwain Chambers (Belgrave Harriers); Simeon Williamson (Highgate Harriers); reserve - Rikki Fifton (Victoria Park & Tower Hamlets). 400m: Richard Buck (City of York); Steve Green (Newham & Essex Beagles). 800m: Richard Hill (Notts AC); Damien Moss (Rugby & Northampton AC). 1,500m: James McIlroy (WSE Hounslow); Michael East (Newham and Essex Beagles); reserve - James Brewer (Cheltenham & C Harriers). 3,000m: Mo Farah (Newham and Essex Beagles); Nick McCormick (Morpeth Harriers & AC). 60m hurdles: Allan Scott (Shaftesbury Barnet). High jump: Samson Oni (Belgrave Harriers). Pole vault: Steve Lewis (Newham & Essex Beagles). Long jump: Chris Tomlinson (Newham & Essex Beagles). Triple jump: Phillips Idowu (Belgrave Harriers). Shot putt: Carl Myerscough (Blackpool). 4x400m relay: Buck, Green, Rob Tobin, Nick Leavey, Debo Ademuyewo, Dale Garland

Women - 60m: Laura Turner (Harrow AC); Jeanette Kwakye (Woodford Green & Essex Ladies); reserve - Montell Douglas (Blackheath & Bromley Harriers AC). 800m: Jenny Meadows (Wigan & District Harriers); Marilyn Okoro (Shaftesbury Barnet). 1,500m: Jemma Simpson (Newquay & Par); Susan Scott (City of Glasgow). 3,000m: Helen Clitheroe (Preston Harriers); Lisa Dobriskey (Ashford AC). 60m hurdles: Sarah Claxton (Woodford Green & Essex Ladies). Pole vault: Kate Dennison (Sale Harriers Manchester). Pentathlon: Kelly Sotherton (Birchfield Harriers).

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