Ex-sprinter issues plea to students after doping ban

A former Olympic sprinter who was banned after taking a performance enhancing drug has urged sports students to not make the same mistakes that he did.

Dwain Chambers, who was once one of the fastest men in the world, spoke to pupils during a visit to Abbeygate Sixth Form, in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk.

When addressing the students from Eastern Education Group colleges, the 47-year-old discussed the highs and lows of his career.

"My one big message I want them to know is that they have what it takes to go forward, without making the same decisions that I made," he said.

During Chambers' career on the track he clocked 9.97 seconds in the 100m, won world championship medals, and competed at two Olympics.

He was also set a world junior record when he crossed the finish line of a 100m race in 10.06 seconds in 1997.

His early promise, however, was curtailed when he was handed a two-year doping ban in 2003 after testing positive for THG.

This stopped him being able to compete at the Olympics for years, but he was eventually permitted to return to the games at London 2012.

But Chambers did not shy away from the difficult moments of his career when talking to students in Suffolk on 23 April, with some saying they liked how he "took accountability".

Isabel Moore, 18, from West Suffolk College, said: "It highlighted the pressure on elite athletes and how this leads them to make decisions that they regret.

"It was interesting, helpful and engaging."

Tommi Charlish, a lecturer of sport at West Suffolk College, organised the talk as part of the curriculum looks at drugs in sport and sport science.

"Having someone who has been there at the highest level who had experienced good moments and bad – helped make this a discussion to remember," she said.

Chris Steele, a group head of school for sport at Eastern Education Group, added that Chambers' talk was "very well received".

"The way he presented his information made it relatable to the young people," he said.

"He talked about resilience and said how important it is to bounce back when things don't go your way."

Do you have a story suggestion for Suffolk? Contact us below.

Follow Suffolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.