2 sprinters that have served bans plan to display that they may compete successfully without administration of steroids. They want to participate in the 2012 London Olympics. The American runner Justin Gatlin and the British runner Dwain Chambers want to manifest that they can win, competing clean.
They have already displayed that they are worthy to be called “Olympic champions”. While Justin Gatlin has won the gold medal, Dwain Chambers has received 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 sportsperson, supporting him.
When it comes to Dwain Chambers, it is not clear yet whether he will be allowed to take part in the Olympics. This runner was not so supported, as Justin Gatlin was. Chambers experienced cold response from the British Olympic Association (BOA). His return to sports prompted the decision of the BOA to suspend athletes that have been caught administering steroids from the Olympics forever.
The World Anti-Doping Agency has informed the BOA that this decision didn’t meet criteria the WADA rules connected with prohibited preparations. The BOA decided to war on 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).
so, while Justin Gatlin was supported by the US Olympic Committee, Chambers’ case was not pleasant.
Justin Gatlin has never admitted that he had applied steroids intentionally. But Chambers took the complete responsibility for administration of steroids.
Justin Gatlin tested positive for testosterone in April 2006. His world record was annulled after the results of testing had been proclaimed. At the beginning this athlete was banned for 8 years. Later his ban was reduced to 4 years due to cooperation with the USADA.
Justin Gatlin didn’t admit that he had used steroids knowingly. He blamed his masseuse for application of a testosterone cream during a massage.
On the contrary, Dwain Chambers admitted that he had used steroids and taken the whole responsibility for the violation of steroid rules. He was banned for 2 years. This runner forfeited all medals he won since 2002.
Different attitudes to these sprinters have displayed the difference between perceptions of sportspersons who have administered steroids by anti-doping officials in the USA and in the UK.