Chambers: I’m no drugs cheat
The European 100 metres champion blamed the California-based nutritionist at the centre of a drugs scandal that is rocking the sport after traces of a new designer steroid were found in his system.
The 26-year-old Londoner faces an anxious wait for the result of the 'B' test after testing positive for THG (tetrahydrogestrinone) in Germany on August 1, but has already launched his defence.
"My client wants to clarify that he will not accept nor tolerate any accusations or implications that this was a wilful or calculated attempt on his behalf to deceive the authorities," said his lawyer Graham Shear.
"In his eight years in international athletics he has never been tempted to succumb to illegal methods of enhancing a performance.
"Some time ago my client went to the United States to further his athletics training under world-renowned trainer Remi Korchemny.
"As part of the training programme Mr Korchemny instructed him to use a Mr Victor Conte of Balco Laboratories in California as his nutritionist and made all arrangements.
"My client knew that Balco and Mr Conte worked with many world-class athletes and that they, therefore, were fully aware of the international rules and limitations on substance use.
"In August this year Dwain was tested out of competition in Germany. In early October he received notification that the 'A' sample had tested positive for THG.
"Dwain had never heard of this substance and he immediately challenged Mr Conte on this finding and was categorically assured that all supplements he had been given were within the IAAF (International Association of Athletics Federations) rules.
"I understand that currently Mr Conte continues to deny that the supplements he prepared for my client and other athletes contain any illegal substances."
Athletes like former Olympic and world 100m champion Linford Christie and 400m runner Mark Richardson said they had unwittingly ingested the banned drug in food supplements following a spate of positives involving nandrolone four years ago.
Chambers, who has not been suspended, could lose lucrative sponsorship deals and face a life ban from the Olympics if the 'B' test confirms the initial result.
It is extremely rare for the second sample to differ from the 'A' test, although that was the case with Kenyan runner Bernard Lagat earlier this year.
THG has been specially created from two other proscribed drugs but tinkered with by scientists in an attempt to avoid detection. Steroids build muscle and help athletes recover quicker from heavy training.
Drug testers only become aware of the new substance after an anonymous coach in the United States sent them a syringe containing traces of the steroid.
Chambers moved to California last year to start working with 71-year-old Ukrainian Korchemny hoping to discover that extra edge needed to see off the top sprinters.
After a disappointing start to this season, he beat a top class field in London and went into the world championships in August favourite for the 100m title but again flopped in the final, finishing fourth.
But the Chambers case may prove to be the tip of the iceberg with other leading athletes at least six but possibly numbering 20 set to be unveiled as having also tested positive for THG.
In the meantime, the Chief Executive of the Irish Sports Council, John Treacy, admitted that the Council is closely monitoring developments related to the detection of THG.
Mr Treacy said: "The Irish Sports Council will monitor developments in the THG case closely and ensure that the Irish Sport Anti-Doping Programme remains at the forefront of the global fight against doping in sport."
The laboratories used by the Irish Sports Council will be in a position to use the new test as soon as possible. WADA have confirmed that the test meets its standards and it will be made available to all accredited labs within days.
The Irish Sports Council will have the capability to re-test existing samples for the presence of THG.
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