Lynn Davies demands tough action to fight the sport's drugs 'threat'

Davies was speaking after sprinter Dwain Chambers was included in Team GB's World Indoor Championships squad.

Chambers has returned from a two-year ban after failing a drugs test in 2003.

Davies said: "We have to make it a lot more difficult for any athlete with a positive drug test history to represent Britain ever again."

606: DEBATE So long as Chambers is clean now, surely he should be allowed to continue to compete apj1989

Chambers tested positive for the performance-enhancing drug THG.

The 1999 World Championship bronze medallist considered a career change to American Football following his two-year ban from athletics.

But he controversially returned to athletics and on Sunday won the 60m at Team GB's world indoor trials.

That impressive victory guaranteed him a place in the British squad for next month's World Indoor Championships in Spain under UK Athletics' selection policy.

Under British Olympic Association rules, Chambers' failed drug test triggers a lifelong Olympic ban and UKA chief Davies wants that extended to all competitions.

"We really have to fight this threat to our sport," said the 1964 Olympic long jump champion.

"Our chief executive Niels de Vos is determined to review our current rules and make it difficult for any athlete with a drug history to represent Britain.

"I welcome that because our sport has a big image and perception problem."

De Vos initially banned Chambers from competing in last weekend's World Indoor trials claiming he must undergo an extensive period of drug testing.

But the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) overruled this decision and UKA reluctantly allowed Chambers to compete in Sheffield.

Unfortunately the talking point is once again drugs and Dwain Chambers UKA president Lynn Davies

Welshman Davies added: "It doesn't help when Dwain Chambers, who we thought had gone to American Football, now re-emerges as our top sprinter.

"I feel sorry for our clean and totally honest young athletes who are doing their best with honest endeavour but the talking point is once again drugs and Dwain Chambers.

"We picked Dwain for the World Indoors with a heavy heart but we had no option.

"There was no selector discretion as we clearly outlined our qualifying criteria beforehand.

"It stated if you win within the qualifying time then you automatically qualify for the World Indoor Championships.

"We would have much preferred a younger athlete who would be able to run at the Olympics but, by the letter of the law, Dwain has served his ban and was eligible to run.