Chambers back in British squad after doping ban

LONDON, June 21 (Reuters) European 100 metres champion Dwain Chambers has been included in the British squad for this month's European Cup just 10 days after his competitive comeback from a doping ban.

Chambers clocked 10.07 in Gateshead on June 11, finishing third to joint-world record holder Asafa Powell, to become the fastest European this year.

He was named as the sole British man in the 100 metres today.

The 28-year-old's two-year ban for a positive test for the designer steroid THG (tetrahydrogestinone) ended last November but he was not cleared to compete by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) until June 9 after reaching an agreement to repay prize and appearance money.

Aside from the ban, Chambers and the rest of the British quartet were stripped of the 4x100 metres silver medal they won at the 2003 world championships.

Chambers has since admitted in an interview with the BBC to taking THG for 18 months before he tested positive last August and so could lose the European 100 and relay golds he won in 2002.

THG was the steroid at the centre of the BALCO case in the U S The drug was undetectable until leading athletics coach Trevor Graham anonymously sent a syringe of the substance to the U S Anti-doping agency.

The European Cup takes place in Malaga from June 28 to 29.

REUTERS DH HT1625