Chambers mentors should pay, says Campbell

LONDON, Aug 15 (Reuters) British sprinter Darren Campbell has called for those who helped guide team mate Dwain Chambers into taking illegal performance-enhancing drugs to be made accountable.

Campbell refused to take part in a lap of honour with Chambers after the pair helped Britain's 4x100 metres relay team to European championship gold in Gothenburg on Sunday.

Chambers has recently completed a two-year ban for testing positive for the designer steroid THG in 2003.

''I felt it was about time somebody actually made a stand,'' Campbell told BBC Radio today, in explaining his decision not to celebrate with his team mates after winning Britain's only gold at the event.

''I had already had a private conversation with Dwain about it but I feel those who helped him get into that situation should be held accountable.'' Campbell said he was prepared to forgive his team mate if he gave details of the people who had supplied him with his illegal drugs.

SAFE HANDS ''If Dwain does the right thing and makes a difference for the sport...I'm retiring and I want to sit at home and think the future of British athletics is in safe hands,'' he said from Beijing, where he is acting in a mentor role at the world junior championships.

Campbell, who won silver in the 2000 Sydney Olympics 200 metres, was asked why he had used Linford Christie as a coach despite the 1992 Olympic 100 metres champion's own doping conviction for the steroid nandrolone in 1999 when he was semi-retired.

''We all know there is a problem with nandrolone (tests). If I honestly believed he had taken drugs then he wouldn't be my coach,'' he said.

The 32-year-old Campbell confirmed this would be his last season in the sport but said his retirement would now come as soon as this weekend.

''I've got one more competition in Falkirk (Scotland) on Thursday but I'm not sure if I'll take part in the Norwich Union Games in Birmingham (Aug. 19-20). But if I do, that's it,'' he said.

''I believe I've given my all for my country. I feel extremely proud and privileged to wear the British vest with pride but in life everything comes to an end so I will definitely be retiring in the next week.

''It's time to let the new generation take the sport on.'' REUTERS DH RAI1923